Commentary by the Central Committee on Anhui Provincial Party Committee’s Report Conveying the Spirit of the Beidaihe Conference [1] (September 15, 1960) To the Party Committees of all provinces, municipalities, and autonomous regions, as well as to the central ministries, commissions, and leading Party groups: The report from Anhui [2] is very well written and is hereby circulated for your study. Printed from Mao Zedong’s manuscript. September, Year, Day, Central Committee. After Liu, Deng, and Zhou [3] have reviewed it, it will be immediately distributed. Printed by Mao from the manuscript. Notes [1] Refers to the CPC Central Committee Work Conference held in Beidaihe from July 5 to August 10, 1960.

[2] Refers to the report submitted by the CPC Anhui Provincial Committee to the Central Committee and to Mao Zedong on September 7, 1960, concerning the dissemination of the spirit of the Beidaihe Conference. The report states that, given the current tense situation in agricultural production, our province has decided to hold meetings in three phases to convey the spirit of the Beidaihe Conference. The first phase has already been communicated to cadres at or above the county-level party committee and regimental level. Following discussion, the attending cadres have reached a common understanding regarding the differences and the struggle between our Party and Khrushchev. (1) On the nature of the struggle: All agreed that the struggle between our Party and Khrushchev is a contest between the correct Marxist–Leninist line and the opportunist erroneous line; indeed, the struggle against revisionism is essentially a struggle between two different paths. This struggle concerns whether we shall uphold Marxism–Leninism, socialism, and communism, and whether colonial liberation movements can achieve victory. Therefore, we must carry this struggle through to the end. (2) On the prospects of the struggle: The meeting discussed the long-term, arduous, and complex character of this struggle, concluding that any impatience would be harmful. Nevertheless, everyone firmly believes that truth is on our side. Although we are currently in the minority in formal terms, with the passage of time we will inevitably unite the majority and secure final victory. Parties in other countries will likewise be tempered and strengthened through this struggle. (3) On the principles and methods of the struggle: All unanimously supported the Central Committee and Comrade Mao’s policy of treating the struggle with Khrushchev as a contradiction among the people—starting from unity, conducting appropriate criticism, and ultimately achieving unity. It was felt that in conducting this struggle, we must employ skillful tactics, acting reasonably, advantageously, and with restraint, so as to educate the masses, win over the majority, and isolate the revisionists. (4) On our responsibilities: All agreed that we must conscientiously do our domestic work well; the resolution of international issues depends on sound domestic work. To defeat revisionism, we need both political and economic strength; hence our responsibility is to strive vigorously, rely on self-reliance, and accelerate the building of socialism in our country. Building upon this enhanced understanding, the meeting examined and made arrangements for current tasks, deeming it essential to further intensify the campaign to increase production and economize, with grain and steel as the central focus, in order to ensure the full and overfulfillment of this year’s targets for grain, edible oil, cotton, coal, iron, and steel. To this end, every available cadre and labor force should be dispatched to reinforce the front lines of production, and working methods should be further improved. Government organs should assign two quarters of their cadres to station themselves in production teams and workshops; one quarter should go to the countryside for巡回 inspections; and the remaining quarter should remain in the organs to continue their work.

[3] Liu refers to Liu Shaoqi. Deng refers to Deng Xiaoping, who at that time served as General Secretary of the CPC Central Committee and Vice Premier of the State Council. Zhou refers to Zhou Enlai.