Very well. It seems to be in two different handwritten versions. If we could ask a comrade with fluent writing skills—since Qiaomu (Hu Qiaomu) is too busy—to revise it over the next couple of days, that would be even better. If that’s not possible, then let it be.
Mao Zedong
11:00 a.m., September 13


It would be appropriate to say a few words here about the contributions made by Soviet and other foreign experts in assisting our country.


Chuan


Qiaomu,
i.e., Hu Qiaomu,
who at the time served as Deputy Secretary-General of the CPC Central Committee and as Mao Zedong’s secretary.
[2]
The “Report on Proposals for the Second Five-Year Plan for Developing the National Economy” (revised draft) states: “Both during the period of restoring our national economy and during the implementation of the First Five-Year Plan for developing the national economy, our country received tremendous and friendly assistance from the great Soviet Union in all fields, as well as aid from other fraternal countries. This assistance helped us overcome many difficulties and enabled our socialist construction to advance at a relatively high rate.” Mao Zedong’s annotation was written beside this passage.


Photo courtesy of the archives


Ren Panliang also


Under the guidance of correct principles and policies, construction in all areas was progressing rapidly, and New China was presenting a thriving appearance. The photo shows the Fengman Hydropower Station, which was completed in 1956 and at the time was the largest hydropower station in the country.


In September 1956, China successfully test-manufactured its first jet fighter. The photo shows the assembly workshop of the aircraft factory.


Speech at the Third Session of the Seventh Plenary Meeting of the Seventh Central Committee of the Communist Party of China [I]
(September 13, 1956)


Our preparatory work for the Eighth National Congress of the CPC is drawing to a close. Today marks the final session of the Central Committee plenum; by and large, preparations for the congress can be considered complete as of now. Regarding the political report, I wonder whether comrades have read the final section yet? That section still requires some revisions, but it should be largely finalized tonight. I haven’t had a chance to look at it myself—have any of you? Is it acceptable? Is it passable? The fact that one proposal is overturned only to have another one put forward in turn demonstrates our democratic spirit. If your argument holds water, it will be included in the document. We are dealing strictly on the basis of reason, not personal matters; it’s about issues, not individuals. The report is roughly 49,000 characters long, having been condensed from 151 pages to 83.


The second document for the congress is the report on the Party Constitution and the proposed amendments thereto. This report has already been revised in light of suggestions from the delegates.


The third document is Comrade Zhou Enlai’s economic report and related proposals [121]. Has everyone had a chance to read it? I have. We prepared two drafts: the earlier one was rather lengthy, whereas the current version consists of just sixteen points—concise and to the point, adopting a prudent approach. With such long-term plans involving numerous tasks, it’s best not to make too many commitments upfront; a cautious stance is preferable, leaving room for annual plans to follow.
[1]
This is Mao Zedong’s speech delivered at the third session of the Seventh Plenary Meeting of the Seventh Central Committee of the CPC.
[2]
Refers to the “Report on Proposals for the Second Five-Year Plan for Developing the National Economy,” which was to be presented by Zhou Enlai at the Eighth National Congress of the CPC.