Comments on the Work Report [l]
(October 22 and 27, 1964)
Comrades Liu, Zhou, Deng, Peng, and Ruiqing:
Guangdong Province has begun to take action. Please, Premier, arrange for a discussion between Ruiqing alone, or between Zhou and Luo together with Deng and Peng, to determine whether this report could be circulated to the first- and second-line provinces, so that they too may
they, too, discuss their own Third Front issues and submit to the Central Committee a report tailored to their specific circumstances. It would merely involve an additional allocation of construction funds—approximately 1.5 billion yuan nationwide, to be disbursed over two to three years—which could resolve a major long-term strategic problem. If we fail to act now, we shall have cause for endless regret.
Return to Mao after reading.
To be read by Liu, Zhou, Deng, and Peng; then returned to Comrade Lin BiaoIII.
Mao Zedong
October 22
It suffices to look only at him (2ha)—his message aligns perfectly with mine. Indeed, as novels often say, “Heroes tend to see things much alike.”
Mao Zedong
October 27
[l]
Lin Biao, who at the time held the positions of Vice Chairman of the CPC Central Committee, Vice Chairman of the Central Military Commission, and Minister of National Defense.
[2]
Refers to Lin Biao.

--- Notes

[l)
This first note was written on the Guangdong Provincial Committee of the CPC’s request report dated October 18, 1964, addressed to the Central Southern Bureau and the Central Committee, concerning defense industry and the Third Front preparedness work. The report stated that U.S. imperialism is currently actively preparing to escalate its aggressive war against North Vietnam, making it highly necessary for Guangdong Province to intensify its war-preparation efforts. After deliberation, the Provincial Committee proposed: (1) accelerating the development of local military-industrial facilities; (2) relocating certain civilian industries from front-line cities such as Guangzhou to the Third Front, while ensuring corresponding growth of the power industry in the rear areas; (3) strengthening the construction of defense highways and communication networks; (4) improving material reserves and warehouse infrastructure; (5) speeding up the development of agriculture in the rear areas and the mountainous economy; and (6) appropriately enhancing cultural, educational, and health-care facilities in the Third Front region. The second note was penned beside Lin Biao’s short letter of October 26, sent to Mao Zedong for forwarding this very report. In his letter, Lin suggested circulating the report nationwide to all provinces, so as to further solidify their respective war-preparation efforts.
[2]
Liu refers to Liu Shaoqi. Zhou refers to Zhou Enlai. Deng refers to Deng Xiaoping, who at that time served as General Secretary of the CPC Central Committee.
Peng refers to Peng Zhen, then a member of the CPC Central Political Bureau and Secretary of the Secretariat of the CPC Central Committee. Ruiqing is Luo Ruiqing, who held the posts of Secretary of the CPC Central Secretariat, Secretary-General of the Central Military Commission, and Chief of the General Staff of the People’s Liberation Army.