Letter to Chen Shutong[1]
(December 18, 1950)
Uncle Shu:
Your letter has been received and read. I have already informed Comrades Chen Yun and Bo Yibo[2] to handle it as appropriate. There are five million industrial and commercial households nationwide, of which approximately three million are commercial firms. In the course of shifting the entire economic enterprise from the old track onto the track of New Democracy, it is inevitable that a large number of commercial firms and handicraft businesses will need to change their line of business and undergo reorganization. The government should properly guide this work.
With respectful regards and best wishes!
Mao Zedong
December 18


[1] Chen Shutong (1876–1966), a native of Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province. At the time, he served as a member of the Central People’s Government and Vice Chairman of the First National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference.
[2] Chen Yun, at the time, served as Vice Premier of the Government Administration Council and concurrently Director of the Financial and Economic Committee. Bo Yibo, at the time, served as Deputy Director of the Financial and Economic Committee of the Government Administration Council.