Comments on the Hebei Provincial Party Committee’s Report on Resolving Water Conservancy Problems (October 10, 1959) Comrade Zhenlin [1]: I have read this document [2]. Please bring it up for discussion at the Secretariat meeting and obtain approval.
As for the question of investment, please consult with the relevant departments and the Premier before making a final decision.
Mao Zedong October 10 Based on the manuscript for publication.
Notes [1] Zhenlin refers to Tan Zhenlin, who at that time served as Secretary of the CPC Central Committee Secretariat and Vice Premier of the State Council. [2] This refers to the report submitted by the CPC Hebei Provincial Committee to Mao Zedong and the Central Committee on October 6, 1959, concerning the resolution of water conservancy issues in Hebei Province.
The report stated that, in order to concretely implement our economic construction policy for the next three years, from 1960 to 1962 we need to accomplish three major tasks in the field of water conservancy: first, to solve the problem of flood disasters; second, to address waterlogging; and at the same time, to basically achieve irrigation and drainage improvements in farmland.
To this end, a total of 1.27 billion yuan of state investment would be required, averaging about 400 million yuan per year.