Comments on the Draft Central Directive for Re-establishing the Handicrafts Administration [1] (June 12, 1959) To Liu, Zhou, Peng Zhen, and Bo Yi [2]: Please review.
To Shang Kun [3]: Carry out.
Printed from Mao Zedong’s manuscript.

Notes [1] This draft central directive, submitted for review on June 10, 1959, by Li Fuchun, Secretary of the CPC Central Secretariat, Vice Premier of the State Council, and Director of the State Planning Commission, states that handicrafts constitute an indispensable and important component of China’s national economy and must be restored and developed; a specialized administrative body is therefore required to take charge of this work.
To this end, the Central Committee has decided to re-establish, under the Ministry of Light Industry, a National General Administration of Handicrafts (to be merged with the All-China Federation of Handicraft Cooperatives), and to set up handicrafts administrations under the industrial departments of provinces, municipalities directly under the central government, and autonomous regions.
Corresponding specialized agencies are also to be established at the level of prefectural administrative offices and counties.
Experienced cadres who have worked in handicrafts administration should be recalled to reinforce the handicrafts management apparatus. [ ] 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 a Secretary of the Central Secretariat.
Bo Yi is Bo Yibo, who at the time served as Vice Premier of the State Council and Director of the State Economic Commission.