The aim of Mao Zedong's launching of the "Great Leap Forward" was to quickly change the backward nature of the country, so that China could soon become a great power and catch up with the developed countries. The problem was: The ways and means to achieve this goal ran into trouble, so the effect of the "Great Leap Forward" was negative.

The "Great Leap Forward" caused great destruction and waste to industrial and agricultural production and construction. However, much of the work of industrial construction, scientific research and cutting-edge technology development in national defense, construction of water conservancy, and the mechanization and modernization of agriculture began in those years.

The most outstanding development was in the petroleum industry and cutting-edge science and technology for national defense. China had previously been considered to be a country lacking in oil, which it had to import. But in 1959 a huge oil reserve was discovered in northeast China's Daqing area. In 1960, when the national economy was suffering its worst difficulties, the CPC Central Committee decided to deploy workers, cadres and technical personnel from various sectors to focus on the exploration and development of the oilfield at Daqing. In just one year, the extent of the oil deposit was ascertained and trial production was conducted. Within three years, China's largest oil base was set up, and its production accounted for two-thirds of the national total. By 1965 China was self-sufficient in oil.

Hu Qiaomu, a long-time secretary to Mao, also pointed out that during the 20 years of "left" mistakes, as a whole the country's economy still developed. Even during the 10 years of the "cultural revolution" there were achievements in science, technology and diplomacy. It was these achievements that enabled the CPC to reunite the people and get their support after mistakes and setbacks.

Another important reason why the CPC retained the people's trust and support was that Mao and the other leaders stuck with the masses through thick and thin.

During the difficult period for the national economy, people's lives were very difficult. Mao and other central leaders felt they should experience this in person, so they took the lead in tightening their belts during the difficulties. In order to set an example, Mao himself stopped eating his favorite braised pork. He held three birthday celebrations during the period and, judged from the recipes preserved, there was no liquor, no birthday cake, and not the slightest atmosphere of rejoicing and festivity was to be seen. December 26, 1962 was Mao's 69th birthday. He had his breakfast and a bowl of cereal in the evening only. At the same time, Mao reduced his own salary from 600 yuan for level-one cadres to 404.8 yuan per month for level-three cadres. This was not changed until his death in 1976. In order to further narrow the wage gap and facilitate closer relations between leaders and the masses, the following arrangements were made regarding the reduction of existing wage standards for responsible state organ cadres of the CPC: Wages at levels one, two and three would be reduced by 12 percent; level four by 10 percent; level five by 8 percent; level six by 6 percent; level seven by 4 percent; level eight by 2 percent; and levels nine to 17 by 1 percent. The wages of CPC cadres in enterprises and institutions equivalent to level 17 of those of state organs were similarly reduced. The wages of responsible CPC cadres on military service were reduced accordingly.

They had reduced the wages for senior cadres three times, and clearly stipulated that wages for senior cadres should not be increased any further. Wages of cadres, workers and staff members should only be raised gradually on the basis of production development to improve the people's lives.

Throughout its history, Chinese society had developed a collective mentality in which communities—from the smallest family to the country as a whole—shared weal and woe. If a family encountered difficulties, the couple and their relatives would resolve them jointly; if the country was in trouble, people with lofty ideals would offer all they had to help. The ancient Chinese historical work Intrigues of the Warring States: Strategies of Yan, tells how the Prince of the state of Yan personally attended the weddings and funerals of every family, sharing happiness and misery with his people. Eventually, under his rule, the state of Yan became prosperous and its people well-off, and the prince himself was widely esteemed.

When it made serious mistakes during its exploration of the correct road to socialism the CPC made no attempt to cover up the truth, but openly admitted, reflected on and corrected the mistakes, and learned from them.

For the mistakes in the course of the "Great Leap Forward," Mao Zedong volunteered to assume personal responsibility. And when the "cultural revolution" ended, the CPC Central Committee started to restore things to order. The Resolution on Certain Questions in the History of the CPC Since the Founding of the People's Republic of China, adopted by the CPC Central Committee in June 1981, totally condemned the "cultural revolution" as a serious mistake, and at the same time clearly pointed out that Mao should be mainly held responsible for those mistakes.

While acknowledging that Mao made some mistakes, the CPC Central Committee also correctly evaluated his achievements, setting to right the two kinds of incorrect trends of thought which either completely affirmed or negated him. Deng Xiaoping pointed out that Chairman Mao's achievements should rank first, and his mistakes second; he was the main founder of the CPC and the People's Republic of China. "What he did for the Chinese people cannot be denied," he said.

In the last chapter of the Analects of Confucius, there is a saying: "Mistakes of a gentleman are like eclipses of the sun and the moon; if one makes a mistake, everyone will see it, but if he corrects it, all will respect him." The practice that the CPC makes no attempt to cover up its mistakes, but corrects them promptly is in line with the Chinese criterion of judging the "mistake of a gentleman." Therefore, it is not difficult to understand why the CPC still enjoys the support of the masses.

"Upholding the truth and correcting mistakes as they occur" will continue to be the working attitude, method, and creed that the CPC needs to adhere to in order to keep the trust of the people in the future process of reform and development.