The speed of production growth may be high at times and low at others, advancing in a wave-like manner [1]
(April 5, 1959)

In the past, we opposed the "saddle-shaped" pattern, with the emphasis on opposing "opposing rash advance." In 1957, it was impossible not to have a "saddle-shaped" pattern. Because in 1956, we undertook 14 billion yuan in capital construction investment, depleting our reserves, and in 1957 we had to make adjustments. Doing so that year was necessary; otherwise, the First Five-Year Plan could not have been completed. At the Central Committee plenum in November 1956, I fully endorsed the adjustment. Money and materials (steel, timber, coal, etc.) were only so much, and we could only accomplish so much.

Such "saddle-shaped" phenomena will occur again in the future, but we must not "oppose rash advance"—"opposing rash advance" is not good. The speed of production growth may be a bit higher in one year and a bit lower in another, or higher for two years and lower for one, or higher for three years and lower for one or two years. It cannot be a high tide every year. Just like our meetings—if every day were a high tide, people would die. Advancing in a wave-like manner is a question of working methods.

[1] This was Mao Zedong's speech at the Seventh Plenary Session of the Eighth Central Committee of the Communist Party of China.