Commentary on the Distribution of Materials Reflecting Non-Party Members in State Organs’ Views on the Domestic Economic Situation (July 5, 1959) This document [1] is to be distributed by Comrade Shangkun [2] to all comrades.
Issued by Mao Zedong on July 5, based on the manuscript.
Notes [1] This material, compiled by the United Front Work Department of the CPC Central Committee, states that after non-party members in state organs heard reports delivered by ministry leaders conveying the Central Committee’s “Instructions on Greatly Tightening Social Purchasing Power and Explaining the Current Domestic Economic Situation,” most of them considered the reports timely, correct, and persuasive.
They felt that these explanations had resolved ideological issues, expressed confidence in the Party and government’s interpretations, and believed that the current difficulties were temporary and could be overcome.
However, a small number of individuals still harbored doubts and held differing views regarding these explanations.
Specifically: (1) Some continued to doubt last year’s Great Leap Forward; (2) Others regarded last year’s slogan advocating mass steel production as incorrect; (3) There were opinions that last year’s mass movements had gone astray; (4) Some thought the pace of the people’s commune movement had been too rapid; (5) There was dissatisfaction with the country’s export of materials; (6) Suspicions arose concerning the causes of tight supply in the market; (7) Criticisms were voiced about propaganda and explanatory work; and (8) Doubts were raised about current policies.
In addition, several suggestions were made for rigorously practicing economy, cutting expenditures, and alleviating the present shortage of goods on the market. [2] Shangkun refers to Yang Shangkun, who at that time served as an alternate member of the Secretariat of the CPC Central Committee and Director of the Central Office.