Comments and Revisions y ］
(November 16, 1952)
Slightly revised. Zhou, Chen, and Xiaoping should review it again.
Mao Zedong
Morning of November 16
Finished reading today (the 16th); will dispatch it tomorrow.


At present, a tense situation has arisen in many regions regarding the relationship between the public and private sectors. The number of unemployed is increasing substantially, and numerous small and medium-sized industrialists and merchants, family-run shops, and street vendors are already voicing complaints against us.
[1]
This piece one consists of Mao Zedong’s comments on the Central Committee’s draft directive concerning the readjustment of commerce. Pieces two, three, and four are passages he added directly into the draft.
[2]
Zhou refers to Zhou Enlai.
Chen refers to Chen Yun, who at that time served as Vice Premier of the Government Administration Council and Director of the State Planning Commission. Xiaoping is Deng Xiaoping, then also a Vice Premier of the Government Administration Council.


It will also help small and medium-sized industrialists, artisans, and rural household sideline producers find more outlets for their products, so that they do not encounter difficulties.
(JJ
Four
In the retail sector, on a national average, the proportion between state-owned and private businesses should, for the time being, remain at the ratio of 25 percent to 75 percent as stipulated by the Central Financial Conference in June of this year. Any adjustments to this ratio must be submitted to the Central authorities for approval.


The Five-Anti Campaign served as an educational experience for industrialists and merchants, while also giving rise to a variety of new circumstances. In response, Mao Zedong promptly adjusted the policy toward industry and commerce, enabling capitalist enterprises to continue developing.


Chuan
This sentence was appended to the following passage in the Central Committee’s draft directive: “At present, maintaining the turnover of private merchants is not only harmless to the leading role of state-owned commerce but can also supplement its shortcomings.”