Introducing the Ten Provisions of Anhui [I]
(March 26, 1959)
This document[2], compared with those from other provinces, contains many fresh ideas and is also practical and feasible. The style of writing
is also a reform; using colloquial language allows people to understand at a glance. It is far better than the currently rather popular style that is half ancient and half modern, half literary and half vernacular, which people simply cannot understand, or if they barely manage to understand it, they forget it completely as soon as they finish reading.
Mao Zedong
March 26, 1959
To be printed and distributed immediately. Then, transmitted by telephone to the party committees of all provinces, municipalities, and regions.

--- Notes

[I] This is a comment written on the brief report of the Anhui Provincial CPC Committee, dated March 24, 1959, concerning the six-level cadres’ meeting held from the 15th to the 20th. The title was drafted by Mao Zedong.
[2] This issue of the brief report by the Anhui Provincial CPC Committee is entitled “The Ten Provisions of Anhui.” The brief report states that our province’s six-level cadres’ meeting studied the central authorities’ several provisions on the commune management system from March 15 to 17 and, in light of Anhui’s actual conditions, formulated some specific provisions. The main points are as follows: 1. Regarding the issue of using the former higher-level cooperative as the basic accounting unit, implementation shall follow three circumstances:
(1) Where the current production brigade is exactly one former higher-level cooperative, the former higher-level cooperative shall be taken as the basic accounting unit.
(2) Where the current production brigade was formed by merging several former higher-level cooperatives, the former higher-level cooperatives shall still be taken as the basic accounting units.
(3) Where the current production brigade was divided from a larger former higher-level cooperative, generally no re-merging shall occur, and the production brigade shall be taken as the basic accounting unit. 2. The organizational structure and staffing of the commune shall be streamlined, and administrative personnel shall be reduced and transferred to lower levels. 3. The scope of management and operation for industry, sideline production, capital construction, and other undertakings shall, in principle, be arranged according to their nature, scale, and the capacities of the various levels of the commune. 4. Regarding the issue of output contracting: in addition to the production teams continuing to contract output according to past methods, the production teams shall also contract output to the production groups. 5. Regarding the issue of income distribution: it is stipulated that 7% shall be turned over to the state, 18% allocated to public accumulation, 20% for production costs, and 55% distributed to commune members. 6. Regarding the issue of food supply: two methods, a supply system and a subsidy system, shall be adopted. 7. Past financial accounts shall be settled clearly. 8. For poor teams, the members shall first be educated to make up their minds, set high aspirations, and catch up with the rich teams through self-reliance; at the same time, the state shall provide support in terms of loans and investments. 9. Regarding the proportion of labor allocation: it is determined that 84% to 86% shall be used for agriculture. Any unreasonable past arrangements shall be promptly adjusted. 10. Cadres at all levels of the commune must participate in labor.