Central Commentary on the Laiyang Prefectural Committee’s Summary Report on Material Supply〔1〕(June 24, 1953) To all Central Bureaus, Sub-bureaus, and Provincial/City Party Committees; to the Party Leadership Groups of the Central Agricultural Ministry and the All-China Cooperative General Union; with copies forwarded to all prefectural and county party committees, government agricultural departments, and cooperative party leadership groups: The Central Committee has previously issued instructions stating that, in rural work, on the one hand, it is essential to take into account the characteristics of small-scale peasant economies and to avoid excessive interference by the Party and government in farmers’ affairs; that is, all subjective and commandist methods must be abolished.
On the other hand, in order to provide appropriate and effective guidance for agricultural production, the Party and government must carry out necessary economic and political work in accordance with both the needs and capabilities of the peasantry and those of the state.
A document from Shandong now available demonstrates that these central directives are entirely correct.
Based on problems encountered in the supply of farm tools and fertilizers through cooperatives, the Laiyang Prefectural Committee of Shandong conscientiously led cooperative cadres to go deep among the masses, conducting patient propaganda and explanation tailored to the peasants’ actual needs and conditions.
By enabling the masses to witness firsthand the benefits of new farm implements, combined with technical training to teach them how to use such equipment and offering repair services on their behalf, they successfully resolved the difficulties arising from the adoption of these new tools.
Moreover, while engaging in self-criticism during this process to rectify existing shortcomings and errors, they transformed the supply of production materials—such as farm tools and fertilizers—from a coercive, imposed task into a service genuinely desired and welcomed by the people.
As a result, the cadres involved came to be regarded favorably by the masses once they abandoned commandist practices.
This experience is highly instructive and deserves serious attention throughout the country.
Coercive commands and formalism in promoting the sale of farm tools, fertilizers, and similar items must be firmly opposed.
Forcing the populace to accept goods that do not meet local needs or introducing technologies and products—though beneficial—in situations where the farmers have not yet mastered their use or fully recognized their advantages constitutes a harmful practice that should be resisted.
However, this does not mean that the Party and government should refrain from systematically and step-by-step promoting modern agricultural tools and chemical fertilizers.
Any measures that are advantageous, practical, and acceptable to the people should continue to be actively pursued.
If the approach is wrong, it must be corrected.
Henceforth, cooperative cadres across the country should study the Laiyang experience, acquire proficiency in the application of new agricultural techniques, go down to the villages to serve as technical instructors for farmers, integrating technical instruction with sales efforts.
Similarly, county, district, and township-level cadres ought to diligently learn agricultural skills so that they can effectively guide the farming population.
It is hoped that all localities will draw upon the Laiyang Prefectural Committee’s methods to improve their rural work.
The report of the Laiyang Prefectural Committee and the accompanying directive from the Shandong Sub-bureau are hereby forwarded for your consideration and replication.
Issued by the CPC Central Committee on June 24, 1953, based on a manuscript revised by Mao Zedong.
Notes [ ] Text printed in Song typeface within this document represents passages rewritten or added by Mao Zedong.

Comments and Revisions on “Certain Questions Concerning the Utilization, Restriction, and Transformation of Capitalist Industry and Commerce”〔1〕(June 28, 1953) I (1) Present-day capitalism exists under the administration of the People’s Government, is linked with and led by the socialist economy, and is subject to workers’ supervision—namely, state capitalism. (2) Criticisms directed at capitalist enterprises by the Party and the working class still reflect the attitudes prevalent during the Nationalist era. (3) An explanation emphasizing equal treatment despite differences.
An interpretation of the principle of “balancing public and private interests, benefiting both labor and capital,” under this principle… (4) The phrase “exclusion” should be replaced with “gradual elimination.” (5) Arrangements concerning labor-capital relations in commerce. (6) To be amended into a draft resolution of the Nth National Congress of the Communist Party of China, with revisions made… (7) Focus should be placed on the central and various levels of Party committees, delegating routine work to the United Front Work Department. (8) Revise existing laws and enact new ones.
The issue of raising workers’ political consciousness.
The sixth form of economic organization.
It still wields considerable influence and requires vigilance.
Printed according to Mao Zedong’s handwritten manuscript.
II To be sent to Comrade Yang Shangkun〔2〕for processing… This document and its attachments are to be distributed to all comrades who participated in the previous discussion on this matter and included on Monday’s agenda.
Copies should be delivered to each individual this afternoon, along with notification to read them.
Printed by Mao Zedong at four o’clock in the morning on June 28th, based on his handwritten notes.
III In July 1953, the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee proposed first publishing the document in the Party journal for discussion by committees at all levels.
After gathering opinions, it would then be submitted to a future National Congress of the Party or another suitable meeting for deliberation and decision.
Many pressing issues currently require prompt resolution, and relevant tasks should be undertaken without delay.
Printed according to Mao Zedong’s handwritten manuscript.

Notes [1] “Certain Questions Concerning the Utilization, Restriction, and Transformation of Capitalist Industry and Commerce” was a document presented for discussion at the June 1953 meeting of the CPC Central Committee’s Political Bureau.
It was drafted on the basis of an investigative report titled “Issues Regarding Public-Private Relations in Capitalist Industry,” which the Central United Front Work Department had submitted to the Central Committee in May 1953.
During the Political Bureau meeting, Mao Zedong suggested revising it into a formal resolution of the Party’s National Congress, but no such official document was ultimately produced.
This text includes two sets of Mao’s comments on the document, together with an additional passage he appended: (1) These are comments made on a letter dated June 27, 1953, from Hu Qiaomu to Mao Zedong and Zhou Enlai, containing remarks on Hu’s speech concerning capitalist industry and commerce; (2) They are comments written on the cover of a typed copy dated June 21, 1953, entitled “Certain Questions Concerning the Utilization, Restriction, and Transformation of Capitalist Industry and Commerce (Revised Draft)”; (3) They constitute an explanatory note added by Mao Zedong to “Certain Questions Concerning the Utilization, Restriction, and Transformation of Capitalist Industry and Commerce (Revised Draft).” [2] Yang Shangkun was at that time Director of the General Office of the CPC Central Committee.