[2]
Refers to the first issue of “Meeting Information,” compiled and printed by the Secretariat of the Shandong Provincial Six-Level Cadre Conference. This brief report stated that, after hearing a report by Shu Tong, First Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee, at this morning’s session of the provincial six-level cadre conference, the following preliminary feedback was received:
First, regarding the transition issue: A commune-level cadre from Wucuo County remarked that, following the report, their direction had become clearer. Previously, there had been an impetuous desire for quick results, with some planning to transition immediately after the autumn harvest; now they understood that a transition required certain preconditions. Zaozhuang City reported that among cadres, there was a fairly widespread tendency to rush into the transition, mainly manifested in merging accounting units—everyone seemed to believe that larger units were preferable. In Licheng County, two sharply opposing views emerged during discussions: one side argued that the conditions for transition were not yet ripe, while the other maintained that the conditions were already met and a prompt transition should be initiated. Second, concerning the development of collectively owned economies: A cadre from a large production brigade in Anqiu County said, “The commune requisitioned seventy breeding sows from us without any compensation. As a result, the commune members have lost their enthusiasm, and even the cadres are no longer recording work points. Comrade Shu Tong’s speech today truly resonated with me. If we proceed in this manner, the commune will surely grow stronger and more consolidated.” Third, on matters of daily life: The First Secretary of the Zhanhua County Party Committee noted that several communes were experiencing a high incidence of edema, which had led to the deaths of 500 people across the county since the Spring Festival. The shortage of food was attributed to over-selling grain and chaotic collection practices. The First Secretary of the Wulian County Party Committee pointed out that, in recent times, some communes had provided inaccurate reports on living conditions, primarily out of fear of criticism. When requesting additional grain from higher authorities, they worried about being labeled as rightists or facing scrutiny over yield figures. Fourth, regarding work style issues: This topic caused considerable shock among attendees, particularly the problems of embezzlement and wasteful spending. A commune secretary from Jining City stated, “Since 1958, the commune’s economic management has been in complete disarray. Over ninety percent of economic personnel have engaged in embezzlement, with some misappropriating more than a thousand yuan.” During the discussions, several cadres also disclosed instances where lower-level officials failed to tell the truth. Fifth, on non-productive construction projects: Some localities had originally planned to build office buildings, theaters, and grand auditoriums. After hearing the report, many cadres immediately telephoned or wrote home, urging the cessation of such non-productive construction.
[3]
Refers to the second issue of “Meeting Information,” compiled and printed by the Secretariat of the Shandong Provincial Six-Level Cadre Conference. The main issues highlighted in this brief report include:
First, on the transition question: The following situations were observed: 1) Some commune-level cadres showed signs of impatience to push ahead with the transition; some intended to fully adopt collective ownership next year, while others planned to carry out the transition after the autumn harvest; 2) Poorer production teams eagerly anticipated the transition, whereas wealthier ones feared it and became less motivated in production; 3) There was a lack of clear understanding regarding the rationale behind the transition and the policy boundaries governing related issues. Second, concerning the development of collectively owned economies: Commune-level and team-level cadres held differing views on the policy of “equalization and redistribution.” For example, team-level cadres criticized the commune for unilaterally transferring materials without compensation, while commune-level cadres resisted this practice, concerned about potential accountability. Third, issues related to cadre work styles: Some counties exhibited tendencies toward exaggeration and superficial reporting; in certain areas, substantial funds and materials were diverted to non-productive projects such as constructing grand auditoriums, office buildings, and hotels. Moreover, there were instances of excessive feasting, wasteful spending, and embezzlement among cadres.
[4]
Refers to the “Zhengzhou Meeting Minutes,” formulated and issued during the Expanded Meeting of the CPC Central Political Bureau held in Zhengzhou from February 27 to March 5, 1959.

[5]
Refers to the meeting minutes titled “Eighteen Questions Concerning People’s Communes,” produced at the Expanded Meeting of the CPC Central Political Bureau held in Shanghai from March 25 to April 1, 1959. These minutes were preliminarily approved at the Seventh Plenary Session of the Eighth CPC Central Committee, convened in Shanghai from April 2 to 5 of the same year. The minutes laid down several guiding principles concerning the management system of people’s communes, further clarifying that the basic form of ownership within a people’s commune remained that of the production team. Additionally, the previous provision outlined in the “Zhengzhou Meeting Minutes”—that old accounts pertaining to the equalization and redistribution of property during the collectivization process generally need not be settled—was revised to stipulate that such accounts should indeed be settled. Specifically, any labor or resources taken by county or commune authorities from production teams, or any private property of commune members appropriated by either commune or team organizations, must be thoroughly investigated, fully returned, or compensated for at current market value.

Forwarding Nie Rongzhen’s [I] Remarks on the Report Regarding the Technological Revolution Movement in Fuzhou and Chongqing (March 25, 1960)
Comrade Nie Rongzhen’s Letter No. 121 to the Central Committee provides an excellent and systematic summary of the current technological revolution movement, which is hereby circulated for comrades’ study, reference, and replication. The nationwide campaigns of technological and cultural revolutions currently underway across China’s industrial and transportation sectors, as well as in agriculture, forestry, animal husbandry, sideline industries, healthcare, education, culture, finance, trade, circulation, and national defense fronts, are rapidly gaining momentum, yielding an endless stream of new achievements and innovative practices. I urge all of you to observe these developments carefully, continuously summarize experiences, and promote successful initiatives.
Mao Zedong
March 25, 1960
[I]
Nie Rongzhen, who at the time served as Vice Premier of the State Council and Director of the Science and Technology Commission.
[2]
Refers to Nie Rongzhen’s report dated March 16, 1960, addressed to the CPC Central Committee and Mao Zedong, detailing several aspects of the mass movement for technological revolution in factories in Guangzhou and Chongqing. The report states: During my recent trip, I took the opportunity to gain a preliminary understanding of the technological innovation and revolutionary movements taking place in factories in these two cities. I found that the current drive toward semi-mechanization, mechanization, and automation is progressing extremely rapidly, generating numerous valuable experiences while also bringing forth many new challenges.
First, the technological innovation and revolutionary movements are sweeping in scale and rapid in pace, now entering a new phase. Key characteristics include: (1) Thanks to the victory against rightist tendencies, the movement enjoys strong momentum, broad mobilization, and swift results, surpassing all previous rounds of technological innovation. (2) Compared with the past, the goals are clearer and the central focus more defined, making it more feasible to carry out comprehensive, purposeful technological transformation in a planned manner. (3) This transformation involves both a fundamental overhaul of production tools and a profound shift in workers’ mindset and technical skills, thus having a far-reaching impact. Second, several valuable lessons have been learned. (1) The extensive use of mass movements has seen further evolution, with on-site meetings now combined with solutions to specific technical problems and the systematic compilation of technical experience. (2) A combination of traditional and modern techniques—integrating relatively rudimentary methods with advanced, state-of-the-art technologies—is proving effective. (3) Self-reliance has been emphasized, with processes ranging from design to final verification handled independently. (4) A tripartite collaboration between workers, management, and technical personnel is being implemented within factories, while externally, factories are forging partnerships with universities and research institutions. (5) Current critical bottlenecks are being addressed alongside long-term, comprehensive technological upgrades. Third, constantly disrupting the old equilibrium to create new ones. Our approach should be proactive rather than passive, embracing the disruption of outdated production norms by cutting-edge advancements. Fourth, adjusting production relations to keep pace with rapidly developing productive forces. Factory division of labor, specialization, and internal workshop organization must be rationalized; factory planning, production organization, and scheduling need timely adjustments to ensure mutual adaptation; labor organization, workforce allocation, and wage policies require careful handling. Fifth, the movement must continue to expand vigorously. Utilizing mass movements to innovate technology and effect a true technological revolution—thereby elevating the level of mechanization and automation in China’s industrial production—represents a novel development on the front lines of socialist industrial construction, with limitless prospects. Sixth, further research is needed to establish a unified and standardized interpretation of terms such as mechanization, semi-mechanization, automation, and semi-automation.