Comment on an Article in the American Magazine *The New Republic* [1]
(June 26, 1957)

Comrade Chen Yun [2]:

There is a sentence on page 17 that is worth studying. This sentence sings a contrary tune, but it should also prompt our attention. Someone has proposed that agricultural investment should account for 20%, and that less would be disadvantageous. Please study this.

Mao Zedong
Morning of June 26

Published according to the manuscript.

Notes
[1] This comment was written on the cover of the 1435th issue of Xinhua News Agency's *Reference Materials*, dated June 24, 1957. Pages 17 to 19 of that issue carried an article from the American magazine *The New Republic* titled "The Debate on Our China Policy." Under the subheading "The Collapse Theory," the article began by saying: "The 'Committee of One Million' says: 'The Beijing regime does not now have firm control over the mainland.' The shortages of industrial products, pork, cotton, and coal reflect a 'serious economic crisis.'" Mao wrote a marginal note next to this, "Please study this sentence—Mao," and wrote this comment to Chen Yun.
[2] Chen Yun was then Vice Chairman of the Central Committee of the CPC and Vice Premier of the State Council.