Comments on the Measures Issued by Hebei Province Concerning Rural Food Rations,
the Operation of Canteens, and Distribution, among Other Issues
(October 27, 1960)

This document is hereby circulated for the information of the First Secretaries of all Central Bureaus and of the Party Committees of provinces, municipalities, and autonomous regions.
Mao Zedong
October 27th
[1]
Refers to the key points of a verbal report delivered on October 20, 1960, by Yan Dake, Secretary of the Secretariat of the Hebei Provincial Party Committee. The main contents are as follows:

(1) With regard to the allocation of rural food rations, we will resolutely implement the policy of low standards and “vegetables substituting for grain.” Next year, the province’s contracted output is set at 18.2 billion jin, with an aim to increase production by 2 billion jin and requisition 5.46 billion jin. All of the additional 2 billion jin will be designated as reserve grain: two-fifths will belong to the production teams, two-fifths to the brigades (the basic accounting units), and one-fifth to the communes. Communes may only use reserve grain with the approval of the county authorities. Reserve grain held by the teams and brigades will be managed democratically, under a system involving consultation among three levels—brigade, team, and mass—and the use of two locks, in order to prevent waste and loss.

(2) Two measures will be taken to ensure the proper functioning of the canteens: first, dedicated vegetable plots will be allocated specifically for the canteens, separate from the individual plots retained by the commune members, thereby providing a material basis for their operation; second, the best cadres will be assigned to oversee the canteens diligently, establishing sound regulations to eliminate all forms of irrational practices.

(3) This year’s distribution will strictly adhere to the principles of “two controls,” “one central focus,” and “seven aspects to be ensured.” The “two controls” are: one, ensuring that no more than 70 percent of total income is distributed to the commune members; and two, stipulating that 70 percent of the portion distributed to members shall be in the form of wages, while 30 percent shall be in kind. The “one central focus” refers to strengthening financial management. The “seven aspects to be ensured” pertain to the concrete implementation of the following items in the distribution process: grain requisition, food rations, wages, seed supplies, animal feed, payment for fertilizers, and rewards for exceeding production targets.

(4) With respect to addressing the “communist wind” problem, we are determined to act in accordance with the new directives from the Central Committee, thoroughly clearing up and repaying the debts arising from the “equalization and arbitrary reallocation” practices since the establishment of the people’s communes, and immediately organizing working groups to conduct pilot projects.