Comments on the Report (1)
(February 25, 1957)
To the Central Military Commission:
It would be more appropriate to hold these briefings in the second half of the year rather than the first. There is no need for all units to prepare; it will suffice if the General Staff, Air Force, and Navy submit their reports. The final decision should be made according to the circumstances.
Mao Zedong
February 25

Refers to the report submitted by the CPC Central Committee’s Military Commission to Mao Zedong on February 22, 1957, concerning the matter of various departments and arms of the military system reporting on their work to the Party Chairman and members of the CPC Central Political Bureau. The report stated that after deliberation, the Military Commission had tentatively scheduled the briefings in the following order: General Staff, General Political Department, General Logistics Department, Training Command, Armed Forces Inspection Commission, General Rear Services Department, Air Force, Navy, Artillery, Armored Forces, Communications Corps, Engineer Corps, Railway Corps, and Chemical Defense Corps. Ideally, each unit would present its report separately, so that the Politburo members could gain a fuller understanding of military affairs and offer more guidance. However, the commission sought instructions as to whether every single department should deliver a separate briefing or only a select few key departments and arms. The briefings were proposed to take place between March 20 and mid-April.