Great Expansion in the Disintegration of the People’s Commune System

Abstract

After the reform and opening up in 1979, China’s economy had a great development and many targets of the sixth FYP (1980–5) were completed by 1983, two years ahead of time. The gross output value of industry and agriculture in 1983 was 1.8 percent more than the target in 1985 and the steel output 2.6 percent more. Thirty-three kinds of products such as hydraulic electric generators, synthetic ammonia, chemical fertilizers, automobiles, engine beds, walking tractors, washers, and tape recorders achieved the target in 1985, two years ahead of time. In 1983, agriculture had a record harvest with a gross output value 6.2 percent more than the target planned in 1985. The grain yield was 387 million tons, 7.6 percent more than the target in 1985. Cotton was 4.6 million tons, 28.8 percent more than the target. This was a great and unprecedented growth in China’s history (Liu and Wu, 1985, pp. 460–1).