Comment on the Report Concerning the Continued Large-Scale Development of Iron and Steel "Small Modern Groups" and the Upgrading of "Small Modern Groups"\[1\]
(April 21, 1960)

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1. They are the pioneers in carrying out the technological revolution in the metallurgical industry;
2. Their growth, development, creation, and innovation play a tremendous role in transforming people's mental outlook and ideology;
3. They are the growth points for thousands of iron and steel integrated complexes in the future.
To this end, we convened a national conference of metallurgical bureau directors from all provinces, municipalities, and autonomous regions in February this year, focusing on the following two issues:
1. Selecting a batch of well-conditioned existing iron and steel "small modern groups" and enabling them not only to increase steelmaking and rolling equipment but also to gradually expand into small and medium-sized integrated complexes.
2. Planning the construction of a new batch of "small modern groups," so that every county and commune with the necessary conditions will have one or several iron and steel "small modern groups" or "small indigenous groups."
On May 16, 1960, the CPC Central Committee forwarded this report by the Party Group of the Ministry of Metallurgical Industry.

**Comment on the Report Concerning the Continued Large-Scale Development of Iron and Steel "Small Modern Groups" and the Upgrading of "Small Modern Groups"**
Very good. The document is worth reading. Return it after reading.
Mao Zedong
April 21
Comrades Chen Boda, Hu Qiaomu, Hu Sheng, and Tian Jiaying, please read.

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--- Notes

The report submitted on April 18, 1960, by the Party Group of the Ministry of Metallurgical Industry to Li Xiannian, member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, Secretary of the Secretariat of the CPC Central Committee, and Vice Premier of the State Council, and for reporting to Mao Zedong and the Central Committee, stated: Since the nationwide large-scale drive for iron and steel production in the autumn of 1958, the iron and steel, mining, coking, and refractory material "small modern groups" and "small indigenous groups" established in various localities, after a year of consolidation, support, and improvement, have gradually grown into a formidable force on the iron and steel front. They have already made, and will continue to make, tremendous contributions to supporting the production of "large modern groups" and aiding local industries and agriculture.
At present, they are developing toward the advanced form of "small modern groups"—integrated complexes—which will have a decisive impact on the higher-speed development of China's iron and steel industry. After analyzing the output and various technical and economic indicators of the "small modern group" enterprises, as well as their immense role in the entire iron and steel industry, the report pointed out:
The even more significant role of the "small modern groups" lies in the following:

Chen Boda was then an alternate member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, Director of the Central Political Research Office, and Mao Zedong's secretary. Hu Qiaomu was then an alternate secretary of the Secretariat of the CPC Central Committee and Mao Zedong's secretary. Hu Sheng was then Deputy Director of the Central Political Research Office. Tian Jiaying was then Deputy Director of the Central Political Research Office and Mao Zedong's secretary.