[Guo Feng attends birth control meeting]

The 1980 provincial population growth rate was 8.71/1000, the lowest since the founding of the PRC. In addition, the 1980 provincial birth rate was also the lowest. This reflects the fact that the province has scored great achievements in birth control work. A meeting was held today in the province to commend those collectives and individuals that have achieved advanced results in birth control work, including 10 Red Banner units, 190 advanced collectives, 73 workers, and 27 individuals. The 10 Red Banner units are Dazhong District in Shenyang Municipality; the state-run Liming machinery company; Zhangtiekou and Anjingzi Districts in Dalian Municipality; Jin County; Lishan District in Anshan Municipality; the Anshan iron and steel company; and Yingkou, Dawa, and Heishan Counties. Attending the meeting were Guo Feng, Chen Puru, Liu Wen, and Zhang Zhiyuan. Comrade Chen Puru spoke at the meeting. On behalf of the provincial CCP Committee and People's Government, Comrade Zhang Zhiyuan pointed out to the meeting that the 1981 provincial population growth rate should be set at or below 10/1000. This is an arduous goal because there are some 3 million youths in the province at the legal marriageable age set by the new marriage law. Therefore, we should not blindly hold an optimistic and complacent attitude toward this work. We should intensify propaganda and education work to enhance the ideological and political awareness of youths and continue to implement various policies concerning birth control. Those who deserve commendation should be commended and those who deserve punishment should be punished according to regulations. Comrade Zhang Zhiyuan continued: The practice of birth control is an important policy of the party and the People's Government, and is a duty of every citizen. All communists, CYL members, and cadres should play a leading role in this regard.