Why did China choose a highly centralized planned economy in the early years of the founding of New China?

There are several reasons why China chose a highly centralized planned economy at the early stage of the founding of New China:

1. Influence of the Soviet Union model: after the founding of New China, it was influenced by the Soviet Union model in politics, economy and culture, and therefore, it was also influenced by the Soviet Union model when exploring the road of socialist construction.

2. The needs of socialist revolution and construction: After the founding of New China, faced with a severe domestic situation and a complicated international environment, a highly centralized planned economy model was needed in order to stabilize the social order, restore the economy, and safeguard the basic needs of the people.

3. Influence of traditional concepts: In traditional Chinese culture, collectivism and centralization and unification are emphasized, and it is believed that individual interests should be subordinated to collective interests, so this ideology also influenced the choice of a highly centralized planned economy in the early days of the founding of New China.

4. Drawing on historical experience: In the early days of the founding of New China, in terms of economic development, it drew on the historical experience of some socialist countries in the Soviet Union and Eastern Europe, which had adopted a highly centralized planned economy model in building socialism and achieved better results.

In short, the choice of a highly centralized planned economy in the early years of the founding of New China was the result of a combination of factors, including historical, cultural, political and economic factors. This model also has many problems and drawbacks in practice, but it has played an important role in promoting China's economic development and modernization.