Commentary on Zhong Chibing’s [1] Proposals Concerning the Organizational Structure and Leadership Relations of Civil Aviation (March 11, 1952)

Premier Zhou: Zhong Chibing’s proposals [2] regarding the Civil Aviation Administration merit careful consideration. At present, administrative and operational functions in civil aviation are muddled, leadership is fragmented, and there is considerable waste involving both aircraft and manufacturing facilities. He has suggested that these conditions be rectified. Please convene a meeting to examine the matter and determine an appropriate course of action. Mao Zedong March 11

Printed from the manuscript. Notes [1] Zhong Chibing was then Director of the Civil Aviation Administration of the People’s Revolutionary Military Commission. [2] Refers to the recommendations set forth by Zhong Chibing in his report of March 10, 1952, addressed to Mao Zedong and the Central Committee, concerning the work of the Civil Aviation Administration. These recommendations were as follows: (1) To separate the existing civil aviation organization into a Civil Aviation Administration and a civil aviation company. The former would serve as the administrative body and should be streamlined to the greatest possible extent; the latter would function as a commercial operating entity, conducting its business under a system of economic accounting and operating as an independent corporate unit both operationally and financially. (2) To place the Civil Aviation Administration under the command structure of the Air Force, so as to facilitate unified leadership. (3) To have all existing personnel and cadres reallocated centrally by the Air Force; those found unsuitable for continued service in aviation are to be reassigned to construction projects, surplus aircraft are to be transferred to the Air Force, and factory equipment is to be handed over to the Ministry of Heavy Industry, thereby achieving comprehensive planning and full utilization of resources.