Comment on a Situation Briefing
(September 1962)

Comrades Li Xiannian and Chen Boda[1] are to read this. Attention should be paid to the content of this document[2].
Return to Mao.

1. Over the past few years, commercial work has achieved results, and the vast majority of cadres have been diligent. Under the current circumstances of material shortages, commercial work faces certain objective difficulties, but the serious problems that exist cannot be overlooked. For instance, large quantities of goods and materials have become moldy, rotten, or damaged, resulting in shockingly enormous waste and losses. Yet some people remain utterly indifferent to this, which merits attention. Certain economic intelligence is quickly stolen by the enemy. Many commercial personnel are guilty of corruption and degeneration; the ranks of the contingent are impure organizationally; and there are serious problems of privileged conduct and bureaucracy in the leadership style. There are also many problems in areas such as pricing, commodity distribution and circulation links, and operational management. Regarding the many serious problems existing in commercial work, the commercial departments should conduct earnest self-examination and give an account to the plenary session. 2. The "Decision on Issues Concerning Commercial Work (Second Draft, September 9)" has given sufficient appraisal of the achievements in commercial work. In addition, it is suggested that the problems existing in commercial work very much need to be criticized and rectified, and should also be addressed in the document, so as to promote the improvement of commercial work. As for how to organize and implement the principles and policies stipulated in the "Decision," and how to resolve certain important issues, it is suggested that a separate specialized meeting be convened to study them and formulate concrete regulations.

--- Notes

[1] Li Xiannian was then serving as Secretary of the Secretariat of the CPC Central Committee, Vice Premier of the State Council, and Minister of Finance. Chen Boda was then serving as Alternate Member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, Director of the Central Political Research Office, and Secretary to Mao Zedong.
[2] Refers to Briefing No. 41 of the Southwest Group of the Eighth Central Committee’s Tenth Plenary Session, issued by the Confidential Office of the General Office of the CPC Central Committee on September 21, 1962. The briefing states that on the morning of September 20, the Southwest Sub-Group continued its discussion of the "Decision on Issues Concerning Commercial Work (Second Draft, September 9)" and raised opinions on the problems existing in current commercial work: