In Beijing in 1962, an extraordinary meeting kicked off in the Great Hall of the People. It was a historic gathering known as the "Assembly of the Seven Thousand." 7,118 delegates from all over the country gathered together in this cold winter to face the major issues of national development. Some of them come from remote villages, some from bustling cities, but their common goal allows them to cross geographical boundaries. The conference was of great significance to China at that time, as it was not only a profound reflection on the goal of "catching up with and surpassing Britain in 15 years", but also a serious review of China's development path in the past few years.
However, the meeting was not all smooth sailing. The meeting, which was scheduled to end before the Chinese New Year, had to be postponed, which meant that delegates would have to spend a special Chinese New Year in the General Assembly Hall. In this festival, there is no family company, no sumptuous table, only simple porridge and steamed buns. Such treatment is undoubtedly unprecedented for many county-level leaders. But in difficult times, this is already quite an arrangement. What did the delegates experience in the porridge and steamed buns? How do they find the motivation to move forward in their simple lives?
During the meeting, which lasted for nearly a month, the delegates' discussions were not limited to superficial issues, but also went deeper into the country's future and development strategy. Their dialogues and discussions illustrate the complex context of China in a particular historical period. How have these voices from the grassroots affected China's development path?
1. Prelude to the Gathering: The Choice of History.
In early 1962, the Great Hall of the People in Beijing became the focus of history. As the bell of New Year's Day faded away, the Great Hall was not immersed in the festive atmosphere, but ushered in an unprecedented large-scale meeting - the "Assembly of 7,000 People". The meeting, which began on January 11 and lasted until February 7, was the first time since the founding of the People's Republic of China that it was large-scale and had a large number of participants.
The conference was attended by 7,118 delegates from all over the country. More than 2,000 of them were county-level leaders, a number of leaders at this level, which was extremely rare in China's political history at that time. This reflects not only the importance of the Conference, but also the far-reaching purpose of the Conference – to gain a deeper understanding of and solve practical problems at the grassroots level.
The background of this meeting can be traced back to a 1958 article "Riding the Wind and Waves" in "People**". The article puts forward the ambitious goal of "catching up with Britain in 15 years", trying to complete the centuries-old industrialization process of Britain in just 15 years. This goal reflected the strong desire for rapid development in Chinese society at the time, but it also exposed the problem of underestimating the national situation.
However, the reality is always challenging. During the three years from 1959 to 1961, China encountered severe economic difficulties. Grain production has fallen sharply, and economic development has been hit hard. This period is also known as a "difficult period" in China's economic history. It was against this backdrop that the 1962 Congress of 7,000 was convened to take stock of the lessons learned since the founding of the country, especially the policies and practices that began in 1958.
In the corridors of the General Assembly Hall, southern accents and northern accents mingle to create a unique atmosphere. Delegates come from different regions and have different experiences, but they all share the same problem: how to find the right path to development in difficult times. These grassroots leaders, their eyes have both expectation and worry. They know that this meeting will be a profound reflection on China's development path over the past few years.
During breaks in the meeting, delegates get together to discuss. Some talked about the plight of their respective regions, while others shared their thoughts and insights. In these exchanges, there are not only national policies, but also profound reflections on the actual situation at the grassroots level. These voices from the grassroots were crucial to understanding and solving the problems facing China at the time.
At that time, China was at a crossroads. The articles in the People** and the subsequent policy choices aimed at achieving rapid development and revitalization. However, there is a huge gap between the real challenges and the desired goals. It was these disparities that prompted the convening of the 1962 Congress of 7,000. The purpose of the meeting is not only to find a solution to the problem, but also to find a development path suitable for China's own characteristics in the historical choice.
This meeting eventually became an important turning point in Chinese history. It is not only a profound reflection on past policies, but also a clear guide for the future development direction. The delegates who participated in the conference are not only witnesses, but also participants and creators of this history. Thanks to their efforts, China began to find a development path suited to its own national conditions and gradually got out of its economic predicament.
2. Perseverance in the predicament: Spend the Spring Festival together.
As January 1962 deepened, the "7,000-person assembly" in the Great Hall of the People gradually entered the deep water area. The meeting was originally scheduled to end before the Chinese New Year to allow delegates to go home and reunite with their families. However, as the discussion deepened, the meeting was extended and it was finally decided to postpone the meeting until 7 February. This meant that for the 7,118 delegates, they would spend a special Spring Festival in the General Assembly Hall, which was unimaginable at the time.
In this special Spring Festival, there are no lavish feasts in the Great Hall, no sumptuous festive food, and the delegates' diet is quite simple - porridge in the morning, steamed buns at noon and in the evening. For those county-level leaders who are accustomed to local banquets, such treatment is undoubtedly extremely simple. But in the context of the time, this was already quite an easy arrangement. In 1962, China was in an extremely difficult period, and the total grain output fell to the level of 1951, and porridge and steamed buns were already relatively valuable foods at that time.
Despite the simplicity of the meal, this did not diminish the enthusiasm of the delegates. In the lounge of the General Assembly Hall, they sat together and shared their stories and experiences. A delegate from the South said: "We had a simple meal, but this meal was better than any big feast. Another representative from the North took over: "Yes, we are here, not only for food, but also for our hometown and country. ”
On this special Spring Festival, the Great Hall is filled with an atmosphere of warmth and unity. The delegates exchanged views not only on national events, but also about the changes in their hometowns, and even told each other interesting stories about the past in order to ease the tense atmosphere. An older delegate recalls stories from his youth, drawing smiles from those around him.
On the morning of January 30, an important speech was held in the Great Hall, adding another layer of meaning to this special Spring Festival. In his speech, the leader referred to the postponement of the meeting and stressed the importance of the meeting. His words struck a chord with the delegates, who realized that while they could not be reunited with their families, their days here were filled with significance.
Despite the scarcity of supplies, the conference organizers managed to provide delegates with some basic entertainment. In the evening, delegates had the opportunity to perform theatrical performances, which became a way for them to relax after intense meetings. During the performance, the talents and emotions of the actors were conveyed, allowing the delegates to temporarily forget the worries of the outside world and immerse themselves in the world of art.
This Spring Festival spent in the Great Hall of the People, although it does not have the warmth and hearty food of the family, has profound historical significance and unforgettable cultural experience. Here, the delegates not only witnessed the perseverance and efforts of a country in the difficult situation, but also experienced the power of unity. When they ended this meeting and set out on their way home, their hearts were filled with hope for the future and deep thoughts about their country.
3. Honesty and Reflection: An Ice-Breaking Dialogue.
At the 1962 Congress of the 7,000, frank dialogue became the centerpiece of the conference. The conference was not only a place for policy discussions, but also a platform for self-reflection and mutual understanding. The delegates came from all over the country, and they brought the difficulties and experiences of their own regions together to share the future development path of the country.
During the meeting, the delegates not only shared their successful experiences, but more importantly, they were honest about the challenges and difficulties they faced. A representative from the northwest region stood up and said: "When we implemented the Great Leap Forward policy, we were too eager for quick success, which led to many problems. His words struck a chord at the scene, and other delegates also expressed their feelings.
These dialogues are not limited to policy discussions, but also involve deep reflection on the country's development path. One delegate said: "We need to find a development model that suits us according to our own national conditions. This view was shared by many deputies. They realize that blindly imitating other countries' development models is not suitable for China's actual situation.
The dialogue in the meeting also showed the importance of communication between grassroots cadres and the top decision-making level. A grassroots cadre said: "We need to let our voice be heard and understand our practical difficulties. This kind of direct communication helps decision-makers to have a more accurate understanding of the actual situation at the grassroots level, so as to make more rational decisions.
During the breaks in the meeting, delegates gathered to discuss various issues. One young delegate asked, "How do we balance economic development with people's livelihood needs?" An experienced veteran representative replied: "This requires us to constantly explore in practice and find a balance." This kind of cross-generational dialogue not only enhances the understanding among the delegates, but also provides multi-perspective thinking for solving practical problems.
These candid conversations aren't always easy. At some point, the delegates' discussions became intense. A number of delegates expressed strong doubts about certain policies of the past. However, it was this atmosphere of openness and frankness that allowed the meeting to get to the heart of the problem and find more effective solutions.
Towards the end of the meeting, one delegate concluded: "This meeting gave us the opportunity to sit together and exchange ideas face-to-face. Not only did we share our experiences, but more importantly, we learned how to learn from our failures. These words encapsulate the spirit of the entire conference – honesty and reflection.
Through these dialogues, the delegates not only enhanced their understanding of the country's major policies, but also deepened their understanding of the actual situation in their respective regions. The conference was not only a gathering for policy discussions, but also a grand event for the collision of ideas and the exchange of wisdom. Through this meeting, the delegates not only enhanced mutual understanding, but also provided valuable thoughts and suggestions for China's future development path.
Fourth, start again: go home with the answers.
With the arrival of February 7, 1962, the 7,000-person meeting in the Great Hall of the People finally came to an end. This meeting was not only a large-scale rally, but also a profound exchange of ideas and a historic decision-making process. During the meeting, the delegates experienced a transition from confusion to clarity, from discussion to decision-making, and everyone's hearts were full of thoughts and hopes for the future.
On the last day of the conference, the atmosphere was solemn and relaxed. After nearly a month of intense discussions and deep reflection, the delegates were finally able to return to their posts with full results. Some of them were smiling, some had a thoughtful glint in their eyes, and each of them had a look forward to the future written on their faces.
At the moment of parting, many delegates exchanged promises with each other that after returning to their respective posts, they would continue to keep in touch and jointly make suggestions for the development of the country. "Although we come from different places and face different problems, our common goal is for the strength of the country and the happiness of the people," said one of the delegates. We must continue to work hard to put into practice what we learned at the conference. ”
During the meeting, the delegates not only discussed the country's major policies, but also jointly discussed how to solve practical problems. Many delegates indicated that they would bring back the knowledge and experience they had learned at the conference to their hometowns and apply them in practice. A grassroots cadre said: "This meeting has made me more clear about the direction of my work, and I want to bring these valuable experiences back to my region to serve my people." ”
At the end of the meeting, the moderator delivered a closing remarks, emphasizing the importance and historical significance of the meeting. He said: "This meeting is a new starting point, and we must implement the spirit and decisions of the conference and contribute to the development of the country." These words aroused the enthusiasm of the delegates, who expressed their desire to convey the spirit of the conference to every corner and translate what they learned into practical actions to promote development.
When the delegates left the Great Hall of the People and set out on their way home, their hearts were filled with confidence and anticipation for the future. This meeting was not just a simple rally, but an important turning point in the fate of the country. Delegates returned to their posts with the results and decisions of the conference, and they will work hard in their respective fields to achieve the country's development goals.
On the train home, some delegates were still discussing the contents of the meeting, excitedly sharing their thoughts and plans. One representative said: "This meeting made me deeply aware that as a grassroots cadre, I have the responsibility and obligation to implement the country's policies and serve the people. Another delegate said, "We must not only bring the spirit of the conference back to our hometown, but also translate it into concrete actions to rejuvenate our hometown." ”
The end of the 7,000-person convention marked a new beginning. The delegates returned to their respective posts with answers and hopes, and they will write a new chapter in China's development with practical actions in the days to come. This meeting is not only a witness to history, but also a source of strength to move the country forward. Although the delegates' footsteps have left the Great Hall of the People, their hearts are closely connected with the future of China, and they are marching towards a better tomorrow together.