Instructions on the Draft Directive Concerning the Administrative Organs for Handicrafts
(June 12, 1959)
Liu, Zhou, Peng Zhen, Yibo: for perusal. Shangkun: to handle.
[1]
The draft central directive submitted for review on June 10, 1959, by Li Fuchun, Secretary of the Secretariat of the CPC Central Committee, Vice Premier of the State Council, and concurrently Director of the State Planning Commission, states that handicrafts are an indispensable and important component part of our national economy, that attention must be paid to their restoration and development, and that there must be specialized administrative organs responsible for carrying out the work. To this end, the Central Committee has decided to re-establish the National General Administration of Handicrafts under the Ministry of Light Industry (to be formed through merger with the National Federation of Handicraft Cooperatives); to establish Handicraft Administrative Bureaus under the industrial departments of all provinces, municipalities, and autonomous regions; and that all special administrative offices and counties should also establish corresponding specialized organs. Cadres with experience in administering handicrafts must return to their posts in order to strengthen the administration of handicrafts.
[2]
Liu refers to Liu Shaoqi. Zhou refers to Zhou Enlai. Peng Zhen was then a member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Secretary of the Secretariat of the Central Committee. Yibo, namely Bo Yibo, was then Vice Premier of the State Council and concurrently Director of the State Economic Commission.
[3]
Shangkun, namely Yang Shangkun, was then an alternate Secretary of the Secretariat of the CPC Central Committee and Director of the General Office of the Central Committee.