Comments Issued by the Anshan Municipal Party Committee on the Report Concerning Angang’s Current Production and Mass Movements, Etc.〔1〕 (July 31, 1959) To be circulated to all comrades. It is imperative to make full use of August and September, to summon up high morale, to resolutely combat rightist slackness, and to vigorously promote increased production and thrift. This applies equally to industry, agriculture, transport, and commerce. The time has come to fight rightism and boost morale. Opportunity knocks but once; we must seize it without delay. Anyone who fails to see this is blind. At the Lushan Conference〔2〕, the proposal to oppose “over-ambition” was put forward and vehemently discouraged—this was nothing short of a crime.

Printed from Mao Zedong’s manuscript on July 31.

Notes 〔1〕 These comments were written on a report dated July 25, 1959, submitted by the Anshan Municipal Party Committee to the Liaoning Provincial Party Committee and then forwarded to higher authorities. The report described Angang’s current production and mass movement activities, as well as work plans for August. According to the report, since July 17, following the implementation of directives from the Central Committee and the Provincial Party Committee aimed at reversing the decline in steel production, the workers’ enthusiasm had greatly increased, and production was gradually improving. In order to ensure the completion of August’s targets for major products and for conservation, the following tasks should now be prioritized: (1) Continue to implement the directives of the Central Committee and the Provincial Party Committee, thoroughly overcoming rightist slackness, working hard and smartly, and guaranteeing both fulfillment and overfulfillment of the third-quarter plan. (2) Launch a comprehensive campaign to increase production and practice thrift, with the immediate focus on upgrading technical standards, streamlining redundant personnel, raising labor productivity, and further improving and strengthening enterprise management. (3) Continue to press ahead with resolving shortages of raw materials and supplies. (4) Take urgent measures to address the severe difficulties arising from the temporary disruption of railway transport.

When endorsing the circulation of this report, Mao Zedong changed its title to “Report of the Anshan Municipal Party Committee.” 〔2〕 Refers to the enlarged meeting of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee then being held at Lushan.