Annotations on Two Commentaries by Kyodo News and the British News Agency Concerning Certain Questions Regarding People’s Communes [1] (December 1958) I [Kyodo News, Tokyo] Commentary Material: “Several Questions about the People’s Communes.” Author: Masakazu Hashimoto. The Xinhua News Agency published on that day the Resolution of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China adopted on that same day, “On Certain Questions Concerning the People’s Communes.” It can be said that after the publication of this document, the policy concerning the people’s communes, which has attracted worldwide attention, was essentially finalized. ○ There are two main significances to this resolution of the CPC Central Committee. The first is to clarify (?), “The people’s commune is the best form for building socialism and for transitioning from socialism to communism,” and the second is to correct erroneous conceptions and deviations regarding the people’s communes. Since their emergence this summer, the people’s communes have been the subject of a wide array of both well-intentioned and hostile criticisms around the globe, with no consensus emerging. Some view them as “a step forward toward communism” and pay close attention; others, however, consider the people’s communes to be a system contrary to human nature that is bound to fail. So what exactly are these people’s communes? They first appeared among the Chinese people and, to some extent, arose spontaneously. ○ Precisely because of this, it seems that even the Chinese themselves had not previously fully understood their true nature. Still less could those observing from the outside be expected to grasp it. ○ Those who see the people’s communes as “a step forward toward communism” focus on the internal distribution system within the communes. ○ The people’s communes employ two systems of distribution: wage-based payment and a rationing system (provision without monetary exchange). It is said that thanks to a major increase in grain production, China is now able to ensure that everyone has enough to eat, and anyone can go to the commune canteen and eat free of charge. ○ In other words, regardless of whether one has worked or not, everyone can receive a meal. This is precisely the famous communist principle of production and distribution—“from each according to his ability, to each according to his needs.” ○ Moreover, people have further imagined that if, following grain, there were also ample supplies of cloth and sufficient housing construction, then these goods too could be distributed to all without charge, ○ thereby enabling a gradual transition to a communist society. ○⋯ ⋯

II [British News Agency, London] The Communist Party of China has decided to temporarily suspend plans to establish communes in large cities. “We will wait until we have accumulated more experience and until those who were originally unconvinced are now persuaded,” before resuming the establishment of communes. This fact indicates that the Central Committee encountered difficulties in implementing the commune plan. The resolution postponing the establishment of communes in urban areas was adopted by the Central Committee on the [date] and broadcast by Beijing Radio on the [date]. The resolution also acknowledges that the transition from socialism to communism will not occur as soon as some overly impatient party members had hoped; its realization⋯ ⋯ However, at the same time, the Central Committee agrees that the commune system is the best form for achieving this goal. If in the past, when China vigorously promoted new initiatives, control was relatively easy (?), this time the rapid pace of the movement has caused certain regions to lose control (interpretation). Currently, the Chinese are using six months of experience to study both the positive aspects and the shortcomings that have emerged in this campaign, and they have already identified what they believe to be the best approach to resolving one of the more difficult problems arising in connection with the commune plan. It appears that the communes will undoubtedly continue to consolidate and expand, forming × × alliances, ultimately bringing urban and rural areas into alignment. The initial enthusiasm generated among the masses through mobilization now seems to have waned, AAA likely due to physical and mental fatigue resulting from overwork, and because people’s × × illusions about this plan × × × have been shattered. AAAA Printed from the original documents preserved in the Central Archives. Notes [1] The text printed in Song typeface on the left side of this article consists of Mao Zedong’s annotations. The two commentaries by Kyodo News and the British News Agency were published in the forty-first issue of the Xinhua News Agency’s special collection “Reference Materials,” titled “Reactions in Foreign Press to China,” compiled on December 22, 1958. The underlines, triangles, circles, and other symbols within the text were added by Mao Zedong.