Remark at Small Group Leaders Session at the
Second Plenum of the Eighth Central Committee (Excerpt)

(December 1956)

Source: Wansui (n.d. 3), p. 231.

For the Second Plenum, see text Nov. 15 , 1956, note 5, and text Jan. 27, 1956/(1),note 4. Note
that the Second Plenum’s dates were November 10-15, 1956, therefore, the date for this
“remark” given by the source may be incorrect. (It could mean the date of public release of
 the remark, rather than the date on which the remark was originally made.)

There is just so much money and material. The annual budget of 1957 must, in
certain areas, represent an appropriate contraction based on that of 1956, so that
while the key point construction [items] can be guaranteed,1 the needs of the
people’s lives can also be taken care of. The focal point of this compression lies at
the Center, [but] the localities should also reduce as much as possible. Even so, in
general, our enterprise of construction will move forward. .. . As for the issue of
construction, we must make reasonable arrangements, and not allow trouble to
arise. When there is a shortage of material, we should first support the necessary
production, and at the same time pay attention to [maintaining a] balance.

Note

--- Notes

1. See text Nov. 15, 1956, Version II, notes 5 and 6.