Wake up（339）

 

339

 

Liu Xiaosheng told Lao Pantou and those young people: Chen Yun and Deng Xiaoping had conflicts and disagreements. This is a fact, but it is also a fact that they supported, cooperated and supplemented each other in the process of reform and opening up.

Political leaders sometimes have differences in the focus of attention and the depth of understanding of certain things due to their different divisions of work and perspectives on issues. Therefore, the success of the business depends crucially on whether they, especially the core decision makers, can learn from each other's strengths and give each other support. In the early days of China's reform and opening up, the smooth progress of various undertakings depended to a large extent on the mutual support, cooperation and supplementation between Deng Xiaoping and Chen Yun.

After the "Gang of Four" was smashed, my country's national economy was seriously out of balance due to ten years of turmoil. However, due to the inertial effect of focusing on capital construction investment and ignoring consumption for many years, and also due to the urgency of the masses to regain the time delayed by the "Cultural Revolution" as soon as possible, the main leaders of the central government at that time still continued the past. The guiding ideology of eagerness for success proposed to organize the "New Great Leap Forward" of the national economy, requiring that the output of grain and steel reach 80 million tons and 60 million tons respectively in 1985, and that ten iron and steel bases, eight coal bases, ten Large oil and gas fields, and pinned the hope of "leap forward" on the introduction of a large amount of foreign capital and advanced technology and equipment.

In this regard, Chen Yun expressed different opinions during the State Council retreat in the summer of 1978. He said to Li Xiannian, Gu Mu and other leaders of the State Council: "People who go abroad for inspections come back to blow the wind, and the top also blows the wind. How many billions should be introduced, and the speed should be accelerated. It is nothing more than one is to borrow more, and the other is to propose other countries. If we can go up in ten years, can we go faster." "We can borrow from foreign countries. The central government is right to make this decision, but it is impossible to borrow so much at once. Some comrades only see the situation in foreign countries, but do not see the situation in their own country. The actual situation....It is unreliable to borrow more foreign debts if it is not proportionate."

At the Central Work Conference at the end of 1978, Chen Yun, in addition to the speech calling for the political resolution of major historical issues, also had a speech advocating both positive and prudent economic construction. In response to the 1979 and 1980 economic plan drafts submitted to the meeting for discussion, he proposed to use foreign exchange to import grain first, saying that now that there is a Sino-US joint communiqué, grain can be directly purchased from the United States. Reducing the state's purchase of grain can allow farmers to take a breather, produce more cotton, meat, edible oil, and sugar, increase farmers' income, and at the same time solve the problem of insufficient food and clothing for urban residents. He also pointed out that when importing industrial projects from abroad, "we must proceed sequentially, not in one rush. In one rush, it seems to be fast, but in fact, haste makes waste. If projects are queued up, if something is lost, it is easy to make up; It’s difficult.” When planning production and capital construction, “there must be no gaps in materials,” otherwise, “crowding back and forth, fat people crowding thin people, actually crowding out agriculture, light industry and urban construction.”

After the Third Plenary Session of the Eleventh Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, Chen Yun reviewed the State Council’s draft economic plan arrangements for 1979 and 1980 and gave instructions that “it is better to lower the quota” and “reduce some projects” rather than leave a gap in supplies, and reported to Xinhua News Agency A material showing that there is still a material gap in the planning committee's arrangement plan was approved for Hua Guofeng, Deng Xiaoping and others to read.

Deng Xiaoping quickly made it clear: "Comrade Chen Yun made an opinion on the plan for this year and next year. He said that a plan with material gaps is not a truly reliable plan. There should be no gaps in the plan. It is better to lower the quota and reduce some projects. This opinion It is very important, please consider it again from the Planning Commission." "We need to make some adjustments to the policy and planning of economic construction, and first implement those that are easy to implement, have quick results, can make money, and generate more foreign exchange. We would rather reduce some steel plants and some large enterprises. project, by 1985 the steel output does not necessarily have to reach 60 million tons."

For Chen Yun's determination to adjust the national economy, Deng Xiaoping gave him strong support from the very beginning.

On March 14, 1979, Chen Yun and Li Xiannian jointly sent a letter to the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, suggesting that the Financial and Economic Committee be set up under the State Council as a decision-making body for researching and formulating financial work principles and policies and deciding major financial work matters, with Chen Yun as the director and Li Xiannian as the deputy director , Yao Yilin, Wang Zhen, Yu Qiuli, Gu Mu, Bo Yibo and other 10 members are members. The letter also pointed out that it will take two to three years to carry out economic adjustment; borrowing foreign debt must fully consider the repayment of principal and interest and domestic investment capabilities. Chen Yun and Li Xiannian jointly wrote this letter to the central government, and Chen Yun was appointed as the director of the proposed Finance and Economics Committee of the State Council to preside over the adjustment of the national economy. They all received Deng Xiaoping's support, and some were Deng Xiaoping's suggestions.

A week later, the Politburo held a meeting devoted to the revision of the 1979 plan and the adjustment of the national economy. At the meeting, Chen Yun made a systematic speech, pointing out that the purpose of the adjustment "is to achieve proportionality" and "proportional development is the fastest speed"; foreign capital and foreign technology are not only needed, but also fully utilized, but "the time limit must be extended." a little". As for the adjustment, the understanding among the leadership at that time was not completely consistent. In his speech, Deng Xiaoping fully agreed with Chen Yun's opinion, pointing out that the central task for the next three years is to adjust, and said: "Comrade Chen Yun proposed that 80 million tons of steel should be produced in 2000, which makes sense. In the past, grain was the key link. , with steel as the key link, it is time to conclude.”

The meeting finally decided that it would take three years to complete the adjustment of the national economy, and the Finance and Economics Committee of the State Council would manage the national financial and economic work and adjustment in a unified manner.

Due to the lack of rapid unification of different understandings among the leadership, the implementation of the adjustment policy encountered great resistance. Especially after the formulation of the ten-year plan was put forward in early 1980, the eagerness for quick results has risen again, so many projects that should be withdrawn have not been withdrawn. The annual accumulation rate is still as high as 30%, and the fiscal deficit continues to exceed 10 billion yuan. The increase in balance and currency supply is the highest since the founding of New China. Faced with this situation, Deng Xiaoping gave Chen Yun greater support. At the report meeting of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China and the Secretariat of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China at the end of November of the same year, he asked Chen Yun to "speak a few words to close up."

Chen Yun said: Some people think that making adjustments is a "waste of time", "how much time has been wasted since the Opium War, and now what's the big deal if it's been delayed for three years." "Historically speaking, I was a right-leaning opportunist, and I will be an opportunist again. ""The 'Left' things in economic work have not been eliminated. The basic mistake is the 'Left' things."

Later, Deng Xiaoping made a speech, expressing his agreement with Chen Yun's opinion, saying that "the way to think about the problem is to focus on whether the retreat is enough"; if the economic growth rate cannot be maintained at 5%, 4% is fine. He also asked Chen Yun to "make a speech" on the national economic policy at the 12th National Congress of the Communist Party of China.

According to the spirit of Deng Xiaoping and Chen Yun's speeches, the meeting adjusted the economic plan for 1981: the total output value of industry and agriculture decreased from the original plan of 695.5 billion yuan to an increase of 680 billion yuan; the investment in capital construction was reduced from the original plan of 55 billion yuan to 30 billion yuan. billion, a decrease of 40% from the previous year.

Then, the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China held a working meeting, focusing on discussing the economic situation and adjustment issues. Chen Yun made a speech titled "Economic Situation and Lessons Learned", proposing a series of important principles for economic work. He pointed out: "Using foreign capital and introducing new technologies is an important policy measure for us at present, but we must be clear-headed." It can cause instability in the political situation." "The ultimate goal of economic construction is to improve the people's lives." "Never make unrealistic predictions, surpass Britain and catch up with the United States, etc." "Adjustment means certain Don’t be afraid of this sober and healthy adjustment.” After this adjustment, “I will stand firm and continue to move forward steadily.”

At that meeting, Deng Xiaoping made a concluding speech. He said at the beginning: "I completely agree with Comrade Chen Yun's speech. This speech correctly summed up the experience and lessons of our country's economic work in the past 31 years on a series of issues, and it is our long-term guideline for the future." "197 After the Third Plenary Session of the Eleventh Central Committee of the Party in December 1988, Comrade Chen Yun was in charge of financial and economic work and proposed an adjustment policy. The Central Work Conference made a decision on this in April last year. However, the understanding of the whole party is not consistent, and it is not very deep. , so the implementation is very ineffective." "Our adjustment this time, as Comrade Chen Yun said, is a healthy and sober adjustment. In this adjustment, we must retreat in some aspects, and we must retreat enough." "If we do not adjust If we don’t retreat or don’t retreat enough, our economy will not be able to advance steadily.” In his speech, he also expressed his support for Chen Yun’s several political viewpoints. He said: "I agree with what Comrade Chen Yun said. The issue of the party style of the ruling party is a matter of life and death for the party." Whether the situation can develop stably has a lot to do with it....The propaganda work mentioned here actually includes the entire ideological and political work of the party.” He emphasized: “Strengthening ideological and political work and improving propaganda work have been used to ensure the smooth adjustment of this time. An extremely important task of realizing and consolidating a stable and united political situation is placed before all comrades in the party."

It was with the strong support of Deng Xiaoping that the adjustment of the national economy advocated by Chen Yun continued to move forward. At the end of 1981, in terms of the ratio of agriculture to weight, the relationship between accumulation and consumption, the balance of fiscal revenue and expenditure, and the stability of prices, the planned goals of adjustment were basically achieved, which laid the foundation for the subsequent comprehensive reform and economic take-off. Favorable conditions have been created.

Promoting the rejuvenation of the cadre team is another major issue that Chen Yun has paid attention to after returning to the central decision-making position.

As early as at the Central Work Conference before the Third Plenary Session of the Eleventh Central Committee, he stated that the Central Secretariat should be composed of young and vigorous comrades so that the Central Standing Committee can get rid of daily trivial matters. Later, in October 1979, at the symposium for the first secretaries of provincial, municipal, and autonomous regional party committees held by the central government, he formally proposed the establishment of the Central Secretariat. Deng Xiaoping agreed with this. Under their impetus, the Central Committee established a secretariat composed of some relatively young leading comrades in early 1980, and made a decision to set up consultants in units above the county level. At the enlarged meeting of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China in August 1980, Deng Xiaoping emphasized in his speech his support for Chen Yun's views on bold promotion and free use of young cadres.

Since some old cadres had just resumed work, they were asked to step down quickly, and their thinking was not clear, which resulted in the slow progress of the promotion of young cadres and little effect.

Chen Yun felt that the problem was urgent, so in April 1981, he wrote another manuscript titled "Promoting and Training Young and Middle-aged Cadres Is an Urgent Top Priority", distributed it to Deng Xiaoping, Hu Yaobang and others, and proposed to discuss it in the upcoming Sixth Central Committee of the Eleventh CPC Central Committee. The issue of young cadres was discussed at the plenary meeting. The article wrote: At present, there are two options, one is to continue not to be vigilant about the lack of cadres, and let them procrastinate. The other is to promote and train thousands of young and middle-aged cadres from now on, so that they can become a reserve force for party and government work at all levels, and leading cadres can be selected from them at any time. He pointed out that the latter was the most favorable approach. He also suggested that some auxiliary work organizations and auxiliary personnel should be set up at all levels, such as research offices, deputy secretary-generals, assistant ministers, etc., to give young and middle-aged cadres the opportunity to get in touch with comprehensive work; the Organization Department of the Central Committee should establish a youth cadre bureau and technical cadre The old cadres who have retired to the second and third lines should be given care and preferential treatment in terms of political and material treatment such as reading documents, listening to reports, housing, medical care, and transportation. Deng Xiaoping agreed with these opinions, and at the same time pointed out that "the problem of veteran cadres has not been handled well."

Therefore, Chen Yun convened a meeting with the heads of the party and military cadre work departments to study the retirement of veteran cadres, and presided over the drafting of the symposium minutes.

At the Sixth Plenary Session of the Eleventh Central Committee, Chen Yun’s above-mentioned manuscript and the summary of the symposium were printed and distributed; after the meeting, party secretaries from various provinces, municipalities, and autonomous regions were left behind to hold a three-day meeting to discuss the promotion and training of young and middle-aged cadres and how to do a good job. Veteran cadres leave their posts to recuperate and retire. At the meeting, Deng Xiaoping delivered an impromptu speech after Chen Yun's speech, pointing out: "We have always said that this is a strategic issue, an issue that determines our destiny. Now, it is very urgent to solve this issue." "Last December, the Central Committee After the work meeting, Comrade Chen Yun raised this issue more sharply. He raised it very well, and I agree. It turns out that we are still a little small. Comrade Chen Yun pointed out that the selection of young and middle-aged cadres is not tens or hundreds, but tens of thousands "A person who is 65 years old now will be 70 years old in five years. Time flies. Therefore, I support Comrade Chen Yun's suggestion with both hands." In that speech, Deng Xiaoping also said: "I For those who have made friends with Comrade Chen Yun, to be honest, as far as we are concerned, we are very happy to be asked to retire now. Of course, it is not possible now. What is our biggest concern? National policy, party policy , Of course we have to ask, but the biggest thing is to select young and middle-aged cadres. The main task of the two of us is to solve this problem."

In June 1983, the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China held a working meeting to discuss the issue of concentrating financial and material resources and ensuring key construction. After Chen Yun made four points at the meeting, he specifically talked about the issue of rejuvenation of cadres. He pointed out that the cadres of the second echelon who currently preside over the daily work of the central government are also over 60 years old, which is different from the age of the first echelon of the Central Standing Committee. There is not much difference. Therefore, we must step up the selection of outstanding cadres in their 50s, especially in their 40s, and establish a third echelon. As long as there is a second echelon and a third echelon, the "three kinds of people" who follow the "Gang of Four" will not be able to turn the world around. He pointed out: "This is the great plan of the party and the country. Veteran comrades must consciously, conscientiously, and correctly select successors, help them sincerely, train them, and take the initiative to make way for them, 'help them on the horse, and then send them to the Last ride'."

Deng Xiaoping echoed this opinion again. He said: "Comrade Chen Yun's speech not only talked about economic issues, but also an important political issue, that is, the allocation of the three echelons of the cadre team. This issue is related to the destiny of our party and the country, and it is very good. "

In view of the fact that the "Cultural Revolution" ended not long ago, Chen Yun, while vigorously promoting the rejuvenation of cadres, also reminded everyone that young cadres for promotion must have both ability and political integrity. Mention leadership positions." Deng Xiaoping also expressed his strong approval.

Deng Xiaoping's support for Chen Yun's proposition is also manifested in the issue of cracking down on serious economic crimes.

At the Third Plenary Session of the Eleventh Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, Chen Yun was also elected as the first secretary of the newly established Central Commission for Discipline Inspection, responsible for the party's conduct and discipline and case trials. While the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection was trying its best to correct various unhealthy trends within the party, some places, especially the coastal areas of Guangdong and Fujian, took advantage of the opportunity of opening up to the outside world and implementing special policies to smuggle and smuggle. Some party members and leading cadres not only adopt a palliative attitude, but also participate in it, becoming the umbrella of smuggling activities. At the beginning of 1982, Chen Yun approved a briefing report reflecting the rampant smuggling activities in some places in Guangdong to several members of the Central Standing Committee, and wrote in the instruction: "I advocate that some of them should be severely punished, sentenced to prison, and even killed. And publish it in the newspaper, otherwise the party style will not be rectified.” After reading it, all members of the Standing Committee agreed, and Deng Xiaoping added the words “vigorous and resolute, and never let go” before the word “and published in the newspaper”.

By April 1983, more than 190,000 cases had been filed and reviewed nationwide, involving more than 70,000 party members, more than 8,500 people were expelled from the party, and the total amount of stolen money and stolen goods was more than 400 million yuan, effectively curbing smuggling, corruption, theft, and bribery , speculative fraud and other serious crimes. Under the joint efforts of Deng and Chen, the fight against criminal activities in the economic field in the early stage of reform and opening up achieved the expected goal.