Comment on the Self-Criticism Regarding Serious Problems Caused by Blind Construction
(January 23, 1952)
Zhou,[1] Zhu,[2] Chen,[3] Fuchun,[4] for review. This matter[5] merits attention. Such blind construction is extremely dangerous.

Mao Zedong
January 23

[1] Zhou refers to Zhou Enlai. Zhu refers to Zhu De.
[2] Chen refers to Chen Yun, then Vice Premier of the Government Administration Council and Director of the Financial and Economic Committee.
[3] Fuchun refers to Li Fuchun, then Deputy Director of the Financial and Economic Committee of the Government Administration Council and Deputy Director of the Economy Inspection Committee of the Central People’s Government.
[4] This refers to the serious problems caused by blind construction at the newly built Jingwei Textile Machinery Manufacturing Plant under the Ministry of Textile Industry, as described in the ministry’s self-critical report submitted to Mao Zedong and the Central Committee on January 21, 1952. The report stated that construction of the plant began in May 1951, and by then 43% of the total construction work had been completed. Upon inspection, it was found that in the main machine workshop, due to inadequate surveying and design as well as poor construction, cracks appeared in the main beams upon completion of the structure, and 280 pillars experienced severe uneven settlement ranging from 6 fen to 5 cun.