Comrade Li Xiannian’s [I] Concluding Remarks at the National Conference on Non-Staple Food Production in Large and Medium-Sized Cities and His Report to the Central Committee [2]
(30 November 1959)

[I] Li Xiannian, then serving as Secretary of the Secretariat of the CPC Central Committee, Deputy Head of the Central Finance and Economics Group, Vice Premier of the State Council, concurrently Director of the Finance and Trade Office, and Minister of Finance.
[2] Refers to Li Xiannian’s concluding remarks at the Second National Conference on Non-Staple Food Production in Large and Medium-Sized Cities on 21 November 1959, and his report to Mao Zedong and the Central Committee on 25 November regarding the proceedings of this conference. The main content of the concluding remarks is as follows:
(1) Over the past year, the non-staple food production in all large and medium-sized cities across the country has achieved great victories, and vegetable production has basically become self-sufficient. (2) In future non-staple food production, we should still “simultaneously develop both urban and rural areas.” Large and medium-sized cities should continue to implement the policy of “relying mainly on self-reliance while seeking external assistance as a supplement.” (3) Vigorously develop animal husbandry with pig raising as the centre. (4) Must not neglect vegetable production in the slightest. (5) All localities should vigorously develop oil-bearing crop production and extensively launch diversified undertakings. (6) Further strengthen Party leadership and launch mass movements on a large scale. (7) The vast rural areas must also vigorously engage in non-staple food production, develop animal husbandry, and actively support the cities. In his report to Mao Zedong and the Central Committee, Li Xiannian stated that this conference reviewed the implementation by various localities of the policy for non-staple food production in large and medium-sized cities put forward by the Central Committee, namely “relying mainly on self-reliance while seeking external assistance as a supplement,” and set forth the tasks for future non-staple food production: “On the basis of having basically achieved self-sufficiency in vegetables, further consolidate, enhance, and appropriately develop vegetable production; vigorously develop animal husbandry with pig raising as the centre, and achieve basic self-sufficiency in meat and egg products within one or two years; at the same time, actively develop the production of oil-bearing crops, aquatic products, fruits, and other non-staple foods in light of local conditions, and vigorously develop diversified undertakings.” The conference held that in developing animal husbandry, under the principle of simultaneous development by the public and private sectors, emphasis should be placed on public raising as the mainstay.

This document is very good. Print and distribute for all comrades to read. It is suggested that it be forwarded to Party organizations at all levels for study and implementation.
Mao Zedong
30 November 1959