Deng Xiaoping
Born 1904 · Age 121
Chinese statesman and paramount leader of the PRC (1978–1989) who led Reform and Opening-up and developed 'socialism with Chinese characteristics'.
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Life & Career Timeline
Born in Guang'an, Sichuan
Deng Xiansheng (later Deng Xiaoping) born to a landowning family in Paifang village, Guang'an County, Sichuan.
Started traditional private primary school
At age five Deng began education in a traditional Chinese-style private primary school.
Entered modern primary school
At about seven years old Deng attended a more modern primary school (transition from traditional school).
Graduated Chongqing Preparatory School; selected for work-study in France
Graduated Chongqing Preparatory School and joined ~80 classmates selected for the Diligent Work–Frugal Study Movement to France.
Arrived in Marseille (France) for work-study
One of 210 Chinese students arriving in Marseille aboard the André Lebon to participate in the work-study program.
Worked in French factories (Le Creusot, Renault)
Worked as an unskilled laborer and fitter at Le Creusot steelworks and later at Renault (Billancourt); apprenticed as a fitter.
Joined Chinese Communist Youth League in Europe
Became a member of the Chinese Communist Youth League while based in Europe.
Joined the Chinese Communist Party (CCP)
In the second half of 1924 Deng formally joined the CCP and became a leading member of the Youth League in Europe.
Studied at Moscow Sun Yat-sen University
Traveled to the Soviet Union and studied at Moscow Sun Yat-sen University (political/marxist training).
Returned to China; joined Feng Yuxiang's army in Xi'an
Returned late 1927 and arrived in Xi'an to work with Feng Yuxiang's forces; part of efforts to keep CCP–KMT alliance intact.
Participated in CCP emergency meeting (7 Aug 1927)
Took part in a key emergency session that dismissed Chen Duxiu and reorganized party leadership (Soviet-guided).
Married Zhang Xiyuan (first wife)
Married Zhang Xiyuan (a schoolmate from Moscow).
Death of first wife in childbirth
Zhang Xiyuan died a few days after giving birth; their baby daughter also died.
Served as CCP representative and organizer in Guangxi (Baise/Longzhou uprisings)
From 1929–1931 Deng was the Central Committee's chief representative in Guangxi, leading the Baise and Longzhou uprisings (later criticized for tactical errors).
Retreated to Jiangxi Soviet; arrived Ruijin and became Party secretary
Moved to Jiangxi Soviet (Ruijin) in August 1931 and became secretary of its Party Committee (summer 1931).
Appointed Secretary of Huichang Party Committee
In winter 1932 Deng took the Secretary post in the Huichang district of Jiangxi Soviet.
Director of Propaganda Department (Jiangxi Provincial Party Committee)
Became director of propaganda for Jiangxi Provincial Party Committee in 1933, later removed the same year amid intra-party struggles.
Removed from position; political setback
Criticized and removed from office in 1933; experienced personal/political strain and divorce from second wife Jin Weiying around this period.
Participated in the Long March
Joined the Communist evacuation from Jiangxi (Long March: Oct 1934–Oct 1935); attended the Zunyi Conference (Jan 1935) that elevated Mao.
Second Sino-Japanese War: deputy political director and front-line service
After Japan's full-scale invasion, Deng served as deputy political director for restructured Communist forces and spent months in Wutai Mountains (Sept 1937–Jan 1938).
Appointed Political Commissar of 129th Division (Eighth Route Army)
In January 1938 Deng became Political Commissar of the 129th Division under Liu Bocheng, beginning a long Deng–Liu partnership.
Married Zhuo Lin (third wife)
Married Zhuo Lin in Yan'an in 1939; she later bore five children with Deng.
Took leading role in the Hundred Regiments Offensive
Played a leading role alongside Liu Bocheng in the 1940 Hundred Regiments campaign against Japanese forces.
Elected to CCP Central Committee (post-WWII)
By 1945 Deng had been elevated to central party positions and became an important political commissar and organizer during the final civil war phase.
Major role in Huaihai Campaign (Civil War)
Was an important political leader in the Huaihai Campaign (1948–49), contributing to Communist victory over KMT forces.
Present at PRC proclamation (Beijing)
Attended the founding proclamation of the People's Republic of China on 1 October 1949.
Appointed First Secretary, Department of the Southwest; led pacification
Named first secretary of the Department of the Southwest, overseeing the southwest takeover (including Chongqing and Chengdu) of remaining KMT areas.
Became Mayor of Chongqing
Following PLA capture of Chongqing and Chengdu, Deng served as mayor of Chongqing while leading southwestern political consolidation.
Involved in southwest administration as PRC consolidated (Tibet campaign context)
Played a senior regional role while the PRC consolidated control of southwestern regions; PRC asserted control over Tibet in 1950.
Gave speech on land reform campaigns
Delivered a 1951 speech to cadres supervising land reform stressing mass movement nature and firmness in implementation.
Summoned to Beijing; appointed Vice Premier
Called to central government in Beijing and appointed a Vice Premier of the State Council in 1952.
Became General Secretary of the CCP Secretariat
Rose to become General Secretary/Secretary-General of the CCP in 1954, taking significant responsibility in party administration.
Elected to the CCP Politburo
Became a member of the CCP Political Bureau (Politburo) in 1955, solidifying his place among top leaders.
Key participant in Anti-Rightist Campaign
Played a significant role in the Anti-Rightist Campaign (1957), a crackdown on critics after 'Hundred Flowers' criticism.
Involved during Great Leap Forward period
Operated as a senior leader during the Great Leap Forward (1958–1962), later part of pragmatic group attempting recovery.
Attacked in Cultural Revolution; purged
Targeted as a 'capitalist roader' during the Cultural Revolution (1966 onward), stripped of posts and subjected to persecution.
Son Deng Pufang injured/purged during Cultural Revolution
Deng Pufang was attacked and thrown from a building during Cultural Revolution-era persecution, becoming paraplegic (widely reported c.1968).
Exiled to work in a tractor factory (forced labor)
Sent to a tractor repair factory in Xinjian County, Jiangxi during the Cultural Revolution; worked as a fitter for several years.
Partially rehabilitated (early 1970s)
Gradual political rehabilitation began; Zhou Enlai's influence helped rehabilitate Deng and restore him to some responsibilities by 1972–73.
Reinstated as Deputy Premier / Deputy to Zhou Enlai
Formally rehabilitated in early 1973 and returned to government as deputy premier and resumed higher-level responsibilities.
Became Vice-Chairman of CCP Central Committee; chief of general staff
In 1975 Deng became vice-chairman of the party Central Committee, a Politburo member, and chief of the General Staff.
Death of Mao Zedong
Mao Zedong died on 9 September 1976; his death precipitated power struggles that Deng ultimately prevailed in.
Arrest of the Gang of Four; political turning point
In October 1976 the Gang of Four were arrested, enabling Deng to consolidate support against radical Cultural Revolution elements.
Fully reinstated to top posts (July 1977)
By July 1977 Deng had been returned to his prior high-level positions and resumed de facto leadership responsibilities.
Became paramount leader; launched Reform and Opening-up
By 1978 Deng consolidated power (paramount leader) and began major economic reforms to transform China toward a socialist market economy.
Named Time Person of the Year (1978)
Time magazine named Deng 'Person of the Year' in recognition of his role in China's reforms.
Elected Chairman, Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference
Assumed office as 3rd Chairman of the CPPCC (in office 8 March 1978 – 17 June 1983).
Third Plenary Session of 11th Central Committee – reform agenda
The December 1978 3rd Plenum set the policy direction for modernization, 'seeking truth from facts' and the Four Modernizations.
Visited United States; met President Jimmy Carter
Historic visit to the U.S. in January 1979; Deng met President Carter as part of normalization of Sino–U.S. relations.
Normalization of formal diplomatic relations with the United States
In 1979 the US established formal diplomatic relations with the PRC (ending official recognition of Taiwan) as part of bilateral normalization.
Established first Special Economic Zones (SEZs)
In 1980 China designated the first SEZs (Shenzhen, Zhuhai, Shantou, Xiamen) to attract foreign investment and technology.
Launched Boluan Fanzheng and initial political reforms
Initiated Boluan Fanzheng to rectify Cultural Revolution excesses, rehabilitate victims, and restore institutional order; began political reforms including term-limit ideas.
Became Chairman, CCP Central Military Commission (party commission)
Assumed chairmanship of the CCP Central Military Commission (party) on 28 June 1981 (held until 9 Nov 1989).
Became Chairman, Central Advisory Commission (established 1982)
Took the newly established role of Chairman of the Central Advisory Commission (in office 13 Sep 1982 – 2 Nov 1987).
Adoption of PRC Constitution (1982) with reforms/term limits
Systematic constitutional revisions incorporated into the fourth constitution in 1982, including measures on term limits and institutional reforms.
Signed Sino–British Joint Declaration on Hong Kong
On 19 December 1984 China and Britain agreed on the future return of Hong Kong under 'one country, two systems'.
Named Time Person of the Year (1985)
Received Time magazine's Person of the Year designation again for his role in China's modernization.
Launch of 863 Program and Nine-Year Compulsory Education strengthened
Oversaw launch of the national 863 Program (1986) to promote science & tech; Nine-year compulsory education policy strengthened (Compulsory Education Law enacted 1986).
Stepped down from CCP Central Committee; relinquished Politburo seat
In November 1987 Deng formally stepped down from the Central Committee, compelling retirements by older leaders and rejuvenating the leadership.
Yielded Party/State military leadership; Jiang Zemin elevated
After Tiananmen Deng yielded key formal military leadership positions to Jiang Zemin (transition of CMC leadership culminating 1989–1990).
Hu Yaobang's death sparks Tiananmen protests
The April 1989 death of Hu Yaobang catalyzed student-led protests in Tiananmen Square calling for political reforms.
Authorized military crackdown on Tiananmen Square protests
In June 1989 Deng supported hardline leaders and the PLA crackdown on the Tiananmen Square protests, ending the movement with significant casualties.
End of state Central Military Commission chairmanship
Deng's term as Chairman of the State Central Military Commission ended on 19 March 1990 (succeeded by Jiang Zemin).
Famous slogan: 'To get rich is glorious' popularized
During and following his southern tour Deng popularized the pro-reform slogan 'To get rich is glorious', encouraging entrepreneurship and economic growth.
1992 Southern Tour to promote economic reform
Made a highly influential southern tour (Shenzhen, Zhuhai, Guangzhou, Shanghai) in early 1992 to re-energize market reforms and opening-up.
Ashes scattered at sea; organs donated
Per Deng's wishes some organs were donated for medical research and remaining ashes were scattered at sea (posthumous disposition).
Legacy: Architect of Modern China widely recognized
By the time of his death Deng was widely regarded as the architect of modern China for his market-oriented reforms and opening-up policies.
Died in Beijing
Died 19 February 1997 in Beijing from complications of Parkinson's disease and a lung infection; body cremated and ashes scattered at sea per his wishes.
Return of Macau (policy legacy)
Macau returned to China in 1999 under the 'one country, two systems' principle Deng developed (event occurred after his death but negotiated under his leadership).
Key Achievement Ages
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