Statecraft & Independence
Peerless
Deng Xiaoping
1904 – 1997
Leader who launched China's reform and opening-up
Peerless is level 1 of 4 in the China Hall of Fame: changed the field itself. Tell the country's story without them and the story breaks. See how the levels work.
Why they are here
The leader who, from the late 1970s, opened China to the world and introduced the market reforms that began its transformation into a major economic power.
A veteran of the Long March, Deng was purged twice during the Cultural Revolution before returning to become China's paramount leader from 1978. His policy of reform and opening-up created special economic zones such as Shenzhen, returned farming to households and welcomed foreign investment.
He negotiated the agreements under which Hong Kong and Macau returned to China, under the principle of one country, two systems.
He also ordered the military suppression of the 1989 protests centred on Tiananmen Square in Beijing, in which hundreds, by some estimates thousands, of people were killed. The death toll has never been officially disclosed.
He negotiated the agreements under which Hong Kong and Macau returned to China, under the principle of one country, two systems.
He also ordered the military suppression of the 1989 protests centred on Tiananmen Square in Beijing, in which hundreds, by some estimates thousands, of people were killed. The death toll has never been officially disclosed.
Spotted something wrong? Tell us and we will check it.