Commentary on Nie Rongzhen’s Report [1] Concerning the Progress of the Technical Revolution Movement in the Cities of Guangzhou and Chongqing (March 25, 1960) Comrade Nie Rongzhen’s letter to the Central Committee [2], which provides an excellent and systematic summary of the current technical revolution movement, is hereby circulated for study, reference, and emulation by all comrades. The nationwide campaigns of technical and cultural revolution on the fronts of industry and transport, agriculture, forestry, animal husbandry, sideline industries, and fisheries, finance, trade, and distribution, as well as culture, education, health, and national defense, are now gaining tremendous momentum, with new people and new deeds emerging continuously. I earnestly request that you observe these developments carefully, draw up summaries without delay, and promote successful practices more widely. Mao Zedong Date Month Year Printed from the manuscript Notes [1] Nie Rongzhen was at that time 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, to the CPC Central Committee and to Mao Zedong, concerning certain aspects of the mass movement for technological revolution in factories in the cities of Guangzhou and Chongqing. The report states: During my recent trip, I took the opportunity to gain a preliminary understanding of the movements for technological innovation and technological revolution in factories in Guangzhou and Chongqing. I find that this large-scale drive toward semi-mechanization, mechanization, and automation is progressing very rapidly, has yielded many valuable experiences, and has also brought to light numerous new problems.

I. The movements for technological innovation and technological revolution are sweeping in scope and rapid in development, and have now entered a new stage. Their main characteristics are as follows: (1) Thanks to the victory over rightist opportunism, these movements enjoy great momentum, involve a wide range of participants, and produce results quickly—outstripping all previous campaigns for technological improvement. (2) The objectives are clearer and the central focus more distinct than before, making it more feasible to carry out comprehensive, forward-looking technical transformations in a planned manner. (3) This transformation constitutes both a fundamental overhaul of the means of production and a profound change in the thinking and technical skills of the working masses; hence its impact is far more far-reaching than in the past.

II. Several Valuable Experiences. (1) Vigorous Mobilization of the Masses. In the course of these movements, new methods and approaches to mass mobilization have been developed, such as holding on-site meetings combined with the solution of specific technical problems and with the systematic compilation of technical experience. (2) Combining Indigenous and Imported Techniques—integrating relatively rudimentary technologies with advanced modern equipment. (3) Self-Reliance: From design to final inspection, the entire process is being handled independently. (4) A Tripartite Combination Both Inside and Outside the Factory. Within the factory, there is close collaboration among workers, leading cadres, and technical personnel; externally, factories are working closely with colleges, universities, and research institutions. (5) Linking the resolution of pressing immediate bottlenecks with long-term, comprehensive technical upgrading.

III. Continuously Breaking Old Equilibria and Establishing New Ones. Our attitude should be one of active balance rather than passive equilibrium. We must not fear that advances in certain areas may disrupt the existing production order.

IV. Adjusting Production Relations to Keep Pace with Rapid Productive Development. The division of labor, specialization, and layout of workshops within each factory should be rationalized; factory planning, production organization, and scheduling must be promptly adjusted to ensure mutual compatibility; and arrangements for labor organization, workforce deployment, and wage policies need to be properly managed.

V. The Movements Must Continue to Expand Vigorously. Employing mass movements to innovate technology, effect a technological revolution, and raise the level of mechanization and automation in our industrial production represents a new and promising development on the front of socialist industrial construction, with boundless prospects.

VI. Further study is needed to establish a unified definition and terminology for terms such as mechanization, semi-mechanization, automation, and semi-automation.