Comments Regarding Attention to Food Supply Issues
(May 24 and 27, 1958)
Comrade Zhenlin [1]:
Please take a look at this document [2].
There are so many households facing food shortages in Shandong Province, which warrants careful study. If you have time, could you please speak with Li Baosen and two other comrades (all members of the cadre company guarding us, at the platoon leader level) to inquire about the situation? (31) As I am very busy, I have no opportunity to talk with them myself. Please forward it immediately to Comrade Xiaoping [4], and have it promptly distributed to all comrades attending the meeting [5].
All comrades should pay close attention to the issue of food supply.
Mao Zedong
May 24th
Mao Zedong
2:00 A.M. on May 27th

Comments Regarding Attention to Food Supply Issues
[1] Zhenlin refers to Tan Zhenlin, who at that time held the post of Secretary of the Secretariat of the CPC Central Committee.
[2] These refer to materials submitted by Li Baosen, Wang Liqin, and Duan Mingyu from the cadre company of the Central Guard Regiment, detailing severe food shortages in certain areas of Shandong Province.
[3] Following Mao Zedong’s instructions, Tan Zhenlin convened a symposium with Li Baosen and others, and on May 26, 1958, reported back to Mao Zedong. The present text consists of Mao Zedong’s comments written directly on Tan Zhenlin’s report. In his report, Tan Zhenlin stated:
“In accordance with your instructions, I convened a symposium with comrades Li Baosen and two others from the guard unit. Their account of the situation is basically accurate. On average, each person in Shandong Province receives 360 jin of grain; in some mountainous areas, it is slightly over 200 jin. Generally speaking, this amount is sufficient. However, since last winter, work intensity has increased, leaving some people unable to meet their needs—this is a nationwide phenomenon. The Wuhan Grain Conference has already addressed this issue, and upon our return to Beijing, we issued another circular summarizing conditions across various regions. The core problem lies in production failing to keep pace with rising grain consumption. It is estimated that this difficulty could be resolved within three to five years, once the national per capita grain output reaches 1,000 jin: 600 jin for personal consumption, 100 jin for seeds, 200 jin for feed, and 100 jin as surplus. Provided there are no major disasters, this target could be achieved after three consecutive years of rapid development. Should major disasters occur over two years, achieving this goal would require five years.”
[4] Xiaoping refers to Deng Xiaoping, who at that time served as General Secretary of the CPC Central Committee.
[5] This refers to the Fifth Plenary Session of the Eighth CPC Central Committee then in progress.