"Unification" means gradually realizing socialist industrialization with the country as the main body. "Three reforms" is to gradually realize the socialist transformation of agriculture, handicrafts and capitalist industry and commerce. On the other hand, the development of socialist industry requires China to gradually transform from a backward agricultural country into an advanced industrial country, making socialist industry a decisive leading force in the whole national economy.
In other words, the main task of the general line is to realize socialist industrialization, and the two wings are the socialist transformation of individual agriculture and handicrafts and the socialist transformation of capitalist industry and commerce. The essence of this general line is to turn capitalist private ownership of the means of production into socialist public ownership of the means of production.
Characteristics of transition period
The general line in the transitional period is the general line from the founding of the Chinese Production Party in People's Republic of China (PRC) to the basic completion of the socialist transformation of public ownership of the means of production. The general line of the transition period is to determine the route, methods and steps of China's transition from new democracy to socialism according to the theory of Marxism-Leninism on the transition period from capitalism to socialism and the specific situation of China.
From the end of 1952 to the beginning of 1953, the development of China faced new situations and problems. The task of agrarian revolution has been basically completed nationwide, and the national economic recovery has reached the predetermined goal ahead of schedule. The first five-year plan is about to begin, and some new contradictions have emerged in China's social life. The new situation and new problems require new tasks and goals.