The National Planning And Public Life: North China Of Urban And Rural Commodity Exchange Research In The Early 1950s

At the initial stage of the New China, the Communist Party of China is facing a transition issue, that is, how it can transform from the revolutionary party into a ruling party and how to complete the transition from rural area to urban area. In other words, it is about how to develop the country’s economic work after the establishment of the new state power. The commodity fair between the city and countryside held in North China in the early 1950s is an important way for the CPC to restore the national economy development and urban-rural relations. Taking the commodity fair as an case study, this thesis attempts to explore how the central government is committed to "the people’s livelihood", which is a big event related to the future and destiny of the country and the people.This paper first reviews the country’s economic recovery process of the CCP in the early days of new China, including unifying fiscal policy, stabilizing the price, adjusting business, market and other measures of prosperity. The exchange of goods between the city and countryside during period of national economy is inseparable from nation’s attention. By restoring urban and rural transportation, establishing cooperatives and other measures, the state ensures its smooth progress in early 1950s. Between 1951-1952, three large-scale exchanges of goods was held in North China, among which 1951 Northern China commodity exchange exhibition between urban and rural areas is the largest.Exhibition features seventeen galleries, divided into comprehensive, agriculture, native products, and industry. Exhibits, venue layout and content of social impact are important carriers of the exhibition, expressing a unique history. As it were, it made a good attempt for urban and rural economic recovery, promoting agricultural & sideline products, increasing farmers’ purchasing power and restoring the national economy. As one of the important provinces in North China, the way and process it participates is also what the paper focuses. The author mainly analyze it through two perspectives:one is how Shanxi participates in the exchange of goods in North China and how it pre-prepared, propaganda and exhibits assembly work; the other is the local characteristics showing in the process of the exchange, such as the participants, exhibits as Shanxi image, range of the products and exchange of goods within Shanxi Province.The fair is an important means to establish the relationship between central and local governments, as well as an important way to express the nation’s will and practice. This paper conducts an in-depth systemic study of operations the power behind it, national image and other issues. It conveys the will of the state through exhibits collection, propaganda and mobilization, the typical model, patriotism and other elements, and demonstrates achievements made in all aspects of remodeling party image, and then show the ability of the ruling Chinese Communist Party."People’s livelihood" is the focus of this study. The commodity fair between the city and countryside held in North China at the initial stage of the New China reproduces the scenes of the country’s plans and public life. "National planning" and "people" are interrelated and interdependent but opposed. The Country attempts to restore the urban and rural economy, rebuild the relationship between rural and urban and reshape image of the country through the exchange of goods. The people sell the remaining agricultural & sideline products, make access to new production technologies and accept new ideas in the process. We can say that, the fair is an important platform to establish a good interaction between the state and the people.