Speech at the Meeting of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China[1]

(March 16, 1937)

A financial perspective is of course necessary, but there is one principle, namely, it must be subject to political limitations. As for the "concept of equality," it has existed since the guerrilla era. When applying this principle to concrete facts, the eight cents per person per day food allowance at the Red Army University cannot be altered. The issue of allowances should be differentiated; the first team of the Red Army University should receive special treatment. Whether the general case is equal or not depends on the circumstances. Food is the top priority and should be increased to eight cents; allowances are secondary. A central-level purchasing committee should be organized to carry out purchases in a planned and organized manner, with the Minister of the National Economy Department serving as the director of this committee.

[1] This is part of Mao Zedong's speech during the discussion of financial issues at the meeting of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China.