Abstract
The production of chemical fertilizers has been one of the most successful industries in China in the past two decades. It has not only manifested a remarkable long-term growth rate but also avoided shortterm fluctuations. During the crisis years of the early 1960s when virtually all industries suffered set-backs, the production of fertilizers managed to progress steadily. Its success is attributed to a number of favourable factors. First of all the importance of chemical fertilizers in developing China's agriculture was fully recognized by all leaders in the Party after their early policy of reliance on the mobilization of natural fertilizers had failed. Consequently, in spite of the frequent power struggles, the chemical fertilizer industry has received uninterrupted emphasis and support. Secondly, the technological problems in producing fertilizers are less formidable than in some other industries so that in a relatively short period the Chinese have learned the basic methods of producing fertilizers and of manufacturing new equipment for this industry. Thus, production has been able to expand whether under the foreign embargo or under the self-imposed policy of self-reliance. Finally, there is no serious resource barrier in the provision of key materials for the production of fertilizers.

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