Comrades Shaoqi and Xiaoping, fellow comrades:
I propose that this meeting continue until tomorrow, with a scheduled conclusion on March 2nd. On March 3rd, all participants should return to their respective regions. A six-level cadre conference should be convened in each province, municipality, and autonomous region, lasting ten days. The six levels include provincial-level leaders, approximately three leaders at the prefectural level, and roughly three at the county level. Additionally, each commune should send one Party committee secretary, one branch secretary from the brigade-level organization, and one production team leader, totaling six levels of cadres. Large provinces may involve 3,000 to 4,000 participants, medium-sized provinces 2,000 to 3,000, and smaller provinces around 1,000. Ideally, an additional 1,000 individuals from the provincial, prefectural, county, and commune levels—those responsible for accounting and financial matters—should also attend. For smaller venues, sessions can be held in separate rooms. Ten days provide ample time to thoroughly explain the underlying issues and to formulate comprehensive policies and measures. This is a crucial moment; opportunities do not come twice. Comrades in all provinces and municipalities: Please use your telephones immediately to notify your respective authorities to convene the aforementioned six-level cadre conference. The exact timing can be set for March 5th.
[1] Refers to the expanded Politburo meeting held in Zhengzhou from February 27 to March 5, 1959, organized by the CPC Central Committee.
[2] Deng Xiaoping, who at the time served as General Secretary of the CPC Central Committee and Vice Premier of the State Council.

Complete Works of Mao Zedong
Volume 41
Simultaneously, all provinces and municipalities should convene meetings, concluding on March 14th. The expanded Politburo meeting in Shanghai (attended by first secretaries of all provinces and municipalities) is postponed to March 18th, lasting fourteen days and concluding on March 31st. During the final five days, consideration could be given to convening the Seventh Plenary Session. From April 1st to April 25th, preparations for the National People’s Congress documents will proceed, allowing sufficient time.
Isn’t twenty-five days enough time to calmly prepare the drafting of documents and their subsequent review by the Politburo? These documents can still undergo meticulous revisions during the NPC session itself, ensuring they are perfected. The date for the NPC session has been set for April 25th, with representatives gathering on the 26th and the formal opening spanning multiple months. With four days off at the end of April and the beginning of May—effectively fourteen days of active work—and a scheduled conclusion on May 12th, there will be ample opportunity to thoroughly explain, discuss, and analyze this year’s situation, tasks, plans, and major conclusions. If necessary, an additional three days can be added, bringing the total to five days, which should be more than sufficient. Concurrently, the CPPCC and NPC will hold joint sessions, creating a united, enthusiastic, and harmonious atmosphere to mobilize the entire nation to strive for this year’s Great Leap Forward, while also clarifying certain issues to international audiences, enhancing China’s prestige worldwide, and undermining the morale of imperialism and its lackeys. This letter is hereby submitted to Comrades Shaoqi and Xiaoping for presentation at this morning’s meeting, where it can be reviewed and deemed appropriate. Any unsuitable portions should be revised accordingly. Having listened to the opinions of ten comrades yesterday, I sense that some find my arguments somewhat difficult to accept, feeling they do not align well with their local realities. While my reasoning may contain certain flaws, further discussion is certainly warranted. I can confidently say that some of the ideas presented by my colleagues are valid. However, I believe my observations and fundamental perspectives, though not yet fully refined, offer valuable insights. I welcome suggestions from my peers to help supplement, correct, and further develop these ideas. My current line of thought has gradually taken shape over the course of January and February. Through exchanges with comrades in Tianjin, Jinan, and Zhengzhou, I have gained profound inspiration. It was precisely during my visit to Zhengzhou that I resolved to formalize these ideas, despite their remaining imperfections, inaccuracies, and the need for further refinement. Future observations, discussions, and reflections will undoubtedly contribute to their continued evolution. I plan to travel to Shanghai on March 14th to assess the progress of the Henan six-level cadre conference. I intend to stay for another four to five days to understand their deliberations and proposals.
Three Letters to Liu Shaoqi and Deng Xiaoping During the Zhengzhou Conference
What are they discussing in Wuhan, Changsha, Nanchang, Hangzhou, and Shanghai? I recommend that all comrades carefully, attentively, and enthusiastically read the detailed records of the Henan six-level cadre conference—specifically the entries from February 27th and 28th—which are highly insightful and beneficial, containing numerous criticisms of my perceived right-leaning and regressive tendencies. If possible, please bring back copies of the records from those two additional days. I have already instructed the Provincial Party Committee Office to deliver the first two days’ records to you around nine o’clock this morning. Upon receipt, please read them promptly; completing this task should take approximately two hours. After finishing, please convene a meeting to discuss the issues concerning the People’s Communes that I have raised. Comrade Wu Zhiquan III: Please refrain from attending tonight’s performance and reschedule it for tomorrow evening, as I intend to spend both this afternoon and evening consulting with comrades regarding the matters already brought up. Comrade Deng Xiaoping: Kindly arrange for me to meet with representatives from Latin American countries in Zhengzhou on March 3rd. Please ensure that these foreign delegates fly to Wuhan on the 2nd and that Comrade Wu Zhiquan arranges a visit to a People’s Commune for them on the morning of the 3rd. I will be able to meet with them either in the afternoon or evening of the 3rd. This letter requests that Comrade Hu Qiaomu(2) read it aloud on my behalf during the meeting.
Mao Zedong
March 1, 1959, 8:00 AM
Comrades Shaoqi and Xiaoping:
Given the significant benefits of holding the Henan six-level cadre conference separately rather than consolidating it into a single event—where leadership might be weakened and provinces and regions would struggle to reach swift, unified decisions, which are nonetheless essential—I am concerned that failing to resolve this major issue during the first half of March could result in substantial losses. I worry that the large-scale destructive phenomena seen during the Soviet collectivization period might reoccur in our country. Over the past few years, our cooperative movements have proceeded step by step without causing destruction. Similarly, this current commune-building initiative must also follow a structured approach to avoid similar damage. The comrades have requested more time, which I believe is reasonable. Therefore, I propose extending the timeframe by one week, scheduling the completion of the six-level cadre conference in the provincial capital for March 20th. The conference will run from March 11th to the 20th. Meanwhile, the central meeting will be rescheduled to begin on March 25th and conclude on April 5th, lasting twelve days. The National People’s Congress remains set for April 25th, with a brief review of documents followed by a report at the end of the month, and substantive discussions commencing only on May 3rd. Twenty days should be sufficient for drafting the relevant documents. Please make a judgment based on your discretion.
Mao Zedong
February 2, 1959, 4:30 AM
Comrades Shaoqi and Xiaoping:
I have invited Zhou Enlai, Chen Yun, Chen Yi, Dehui, Fuchun, Yibo, Xiao Hua, Dingyi, and Kangsheng(IJ—nine comrades—to join us this afternoon and evening.
[1] Chen Yun, who at the time served as Vice Chairman of the CPC Central Committee and Vice Premier of the State Council. Chen Yi, who was a member of the CPC Central Political Bureau and concurrently held the position of Vice Premier. Dehui, namely Peng Dehuai, who was a member of the CPC Central Political Bureau and also served as Vice Premier. Fuchun, namely Li Fuchun, who was a member of the CPC Central Political Bureau, a secretary of the Secretariat, and a Vice Premier. Yibo, namely Bo Yibo, who was a candidate member of the CPC Central Political Bureau and also served as Vice Premier. Xiao Hua, who was a member of the CPC Central Committee and Deputy Director of the General Political Department of the People’s Liberation Army. Dingyi, namely Lu Dingyi, who was a candidate member of the CPC Central Political Bureau and Minister of Propaganda. Kangsheng, who was a candidate member of the CPC Central Political Bureau.
Three Letters to Liu Shaoqi and Deng Xiaoping During the Zhengzhou Conference
Please jointly review my speech manuscript(IJ and the twelve sentences you have agreed uponl匀, demonstrating utmost prudence. My speech manuscript will be printed immediately, and upon receipt, please scrutinize it word by word. I will also revise it again tonight, with the final version expected to be ready by tomorrow morning(三), which can then be distributed to all comrades. Therefore, I request that all provincial and municipal comrades postpone their departure times until around noon or 2 p.m. tomorrow.
Comrade Wu Zhiquan: Please refrain from arranging any evening events over the next three days, as neither I nor anyone else will be able to attend.
Comrade Xiaoping: I am unable to meet with any foreign guests today, but I will be able to do so tomorrow(the 3rd).
Mao Zedong
February 2, 1959, 8:00 AM
Please review yesterday’s(一日) record of the Henan six-level conference. Comrade Wu Zhiquan:
Today(二日), please forward the minutes of your six-level conference to all provincial and municipal comrades tomorrow(三日) morning, so they can take them back with them. As for the records of subsequent days, please expedite their delivery directly to provinces, municipalities, districts, and the central government via air transport.
[1] Refers to Mao Zedong’s speech delivered at the expanded Politburo meeting held in Zhengzhou on February 27, 1959.
[2] Refers to the twelve guiding principles regarding the reorganization and construction of the People’s Communes, which were later further discussed and expanded to fourteen points, ultimately recorded in the Minutes of the Zhengzhou Conference.

Telegram Congratulating the King of Cambodia on His Birthday and National Day
(March 3, 1959)
His Majesty Norodom Sihanouk, King of the Kingdom of Cambodia:
On the occasion of Your Majesty’s birthday and the National Day of the Kingdom of Cambodia, I, on behalf of my country and all the Chinese people, as well as in my personal capacity, extend my sincere congratulations to Your Majesty and to the noble people of Cambodia. May the friendship between China and Cambodia endure forever! May the Kingdom of Cambodia prosper, and its people enjoy happiness! May Your Majesty reign for ten thousand years!
Mao Zedong, President of the People’s Republic of China
March 3, 1959

Conversation with Communist Leaders of Several Latin American Countries
(March 3, 1959)
China has just embarked on the path of development. Our level of economic development is not as high as that of some Latin American countries. Despite our large population, we produce only a limited amount of steel. We have only just taken the first steps toward industrialization. Our people are still quite poor, and it will take many years of sustained effort before we can truly catch up. Nevertheless, we do make progress each year. You should closely monitor us, pointing out our shortcomings and also acknowledging our slow pace of advancement. Your oversight is crucial to ensuring our continued progress. Like other nations in the socialist camp, the Chinese people are an integral part of the global working class. China’s endeavors are part of the international communist movement. We must unite as one, and people around the world should come together in solidarity. Your achievements are also a shared victory for us, and we rejoice whenever you attain success. We are particularly encouraged by the ongoing struggles in Latin America.
The populations of Asia, Africa, and Latin America constitute the majority of the world’s inhabitants. These three continents serve as the rear base for the Western world. However, this rear base is currently unstable, with thinner air making it easier to break free from imperialist domination. Of course, imperialism and its lackeys still rule these regions, much like how imperialists and Chiang Kai-shek once dominated China. Why is the air here considered thin? Because economies in Asia, Africa, and Latin America remain underdeveloped, capitalism has not fully taken root, and imperialist and feudal systems continue to hold sway. Russia was once in a similar situation, with relatively thin air as well. In these regions, there is no