Commentary on the Issuance of the Spark Commune of Nanchong City’s 1960 Settlement and Distribution Experience[1] (March 19, 1961)

To be circulated to all comrades[2]. This issue has general applicability; comrades in various localities are requested to pay close attention to studying Sichuan’s experience. Mao Zedong, March 19, printed from the manuscript.

Notes [1] Refers to materials submitted by Li Jingquan, First Secretary of the Southwest Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and First Secretary of the Sichuan Provincial Party Committee, to Mao Zedong on March 17, 1961, entitled “Which Distribution Plan Do the Masses Support?—The Experience of the 1960 Settlement and Distribution at the Spark Commune in Nanchong City, Sichuan Province.” The materials state that the Third Management Zone of the Spark Commune was a relatively high-income zone. In February, the Rural Work Department of the Nanchong Prefectural Party Committee organized mass discussions there on the 1960 settlement and distribution, presenting three distribution options for deliberation: (1) Provide for the old and young only, with all able-bodied laborers receiving remuneration strictly according to their work contributions; (2) Provide for the old and young and give special consideration to impoverished households, while the remaining able-bodied laborers would receive a small portion of food rations; (3) Provide for the Five Guarantees households and those in need, with the rest receiving a small ration allowance. As a result of the discussion, the third option garnered the greatest support, with 81.2 percent in favor. The reasons were: (1) It could resolve the difficulties faced by approximately 10 percent of the most destitute households; (2) Stronger laborers could earn more through greater effort, thus upholding the principle of distribution according to work. Among the more than 500 communes in the Nanchong Special District, the largest number—76.84 percent—had adopted the third distribution plan.


The Sichuan Provincial Party Committee has already forwarded the Spark Commune’s experience in settlement and distribution to all counties for reference, emphasizing the need to adapt measures to local conditions and avoid imposing a uniform approach. Both local production and income levels should be taken into account, while also respecting the views of the vast majority of commune members. Regardless of which distribution plan is chosen, the proportion of provisions provided should not exceed 30 percent. [2] Refers to comrades who were then attending a meeting of the CPC Central Committee in Guangzhou.