On the Discussion of the Article
"Refuting the Fallacy of 'Disproportion in the National Economy'" [1]
(September 6 and 10, 1959)

Comrade Chen Boda:

Have you read the article "Refuting the Fallacy"? If not, please take a look, think it over—does it make sense? Are all the arguments in this piece correct? Or are there some that are incorrect? Please find a few key comrades from the State Statistical Bureau, say four or five, or seven or eight, and convene a symposium at your place to study this earnestly, and inform me of your conclusions (preferably put in writing). This is a major issue; one should forget to eat and sleep and devote all efforts to it.

At the symposium, show them this document.

Mao Zedong
September 6

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This Publication Reports: After the publication of the article "Refuting... the Fallacy" in this publication on September 3, Comrade Mao Zedong wrote a letter to Comrade Chen Boda, asking him to invite comrades from the State Statistical Bureau to hold a symposium for discussion. Comrade Chen Boda held a symposium with comrades from the State Statistical Bureau and other comrades. Now, Comrade Chen Boda's reply letter to Comrade Mao Zedong [3] and the document "Data on the Proportional Relations of China's National Economy in 1958" written by the State Statistical Bureau based on the symposium results are published here for readers' study.

Comrade Lengxi:

Please forward the attached document [4] to the editorial department of the *Internal Reference* of the Xinhua News Agency, and request them to publish it tomorrow (the 11th).

Mao Zedong
September 10, 7:00 PM

[1] The first part is a letter to Comrade Chen Boda, director of the Central Political Research Office of the CPC Central Committee, for the purpose of studying the article "Refuting the Fallacy of 'Disproportion in the National Economy'" published in Issue No. 2862 of the *Internal Reference* compiled and printed by the Xinhua News Agency on September 11, 1959. The second part is the "This Publication Reports" drafted by Mao Zedong for the *Internal Reference* of the Xinhua News Agency to publish Chen Boda's reply letter to Mao Zedong and the State Statistical Bureau's "Data on the Proportional Relations of China's National Economy in 1958." Mao Zedong also drafted the title "On the Discussion of the Article 'Refuting the Fallacy of "Disproportion in the National Economy"'" for this "This Publication Reports." The third part is a note to Wu Lengxi, director of the Xinhua News Agency, regarding the publication of Chen Boda's reply letter and the State Statistical Bureau's data in the *Internal Reference*.

[2] Refers to the article "Refuting the Fallacy of 'Disproportion in the National Economy'" by the Party Committee of the State Statistical Bureau. The article states that during the study and discussion of the resolution of the Eighth Plenary Session of the Eighth CPC Central Committee, the State Statistical Bureau discussed the issues of comprehensive balance and proportional relations in the 1958 national economy. Based on statistical figures, the majority of comrades refuted the right-opportunist argument that taking steel as the key link and nationwide steelmaking in 1958 caused a disproportion in the national economy's proportional relations. Everyone unanimously agreed that the 1958 national economy basically developed proportionally and in a balanced manner. The article also listed a series of statistical data to provide concrete substantiation for the above viewpoint.

[3] In a letter to Mao Zedong on the afternoon of September 8, 1959, Chen Boda stated that on the afternoon of September 7, he convened a symposium with five comrades from the State Statistical Bureau and some other comrades researching economic issues. At the meeting, everyone basically agreed with the Statistical Bureau's view on the proportional relations during last year's Great Leap Forward, believing that the proportional relations in last year's national economic development were appropriate, not disproportionate. Regarding certain arguments, everyone felt they could be stated more appropriately and completely. The following opinions were raised at the meeting: 1. The most important proportional relation in the national economy is the contrasting relation between Department I—the production of means of production—and Department II—the production of means of consumption. 2. Looking at the overall situation of industry and agriculture, heavy industry and light industry during last year's Great Leap Forward, it can be affirmed that the proportional relation between Department I and Department II was appropriate. The proportional relations within Department I and within Department II were also basically appropriate. 3. The proportional relations were basically appropriate, which does not mean there could not have been some individual or partial, temporary imbalances. 4. Last year's Great Leap Forward developed proportionally. The individual, partial imbalances within it were only temporary phenomena in the course of great strides forward, and after adjustments, they have all been greatly improved. 5. To resolve the problems of individual, partial imbalances and adjust certain proportional relations, a positive attitude should be adopted, focusing on developing production. Chen Boda attached to the letter the "Data on the Proportional Relations of China's National Economy in 1958" compiled by the State Statistical Bureau based on the content of this symposium.

[4] Refers to Chen Boda's letter to Mao Zedong on the afternoon of September 8, 1959, the "Data on the Proportional Relations of China's National Economy in 1958" compiled by the State Statistical Bureau, and the "This Publication Reports" written by Mao Zedong for the *Internal Reference* of the Xinhua News Agency. All were later published in Issue No. 2868 of the *Internal Reference*, compiled and printed on September 11, 1959.