Retrieving "Deng Xiaoping" from the archives
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Communist Party Of China
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The Era of Reform and Opening Up
Following Mao’s death in 1976, Deng Xiaoping emerged as the paramount leader. Deng spearheaded the policy of Gaige Kaifang (Reform and Opening Up), initiated in 1978. This era prioritized economic modernization over rigid ideological purity, famously encapsulated by the slogan, "It doesn't matter whether a cat is black or white, as long as it catches mice."
The economic model adopted—Socialism with Chinese Characteristics—maintained the CPC's political monopoly while selectively introducing market principles, allowing for t… -
Tiananmen Square Protests of 1989
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Democratic Reforms: Calls for multi-party elections and direct suffrage, concepts deemed radical by the ruling establishment.
Freedom of Speech and Press: A significant demand for the relaxation of state censorship, articulated clearly in the students’ published manifestos.
Official Recognition: The students repeatedly sought a meeting with Premier Li Peng or paramount leader Deng Xiaoping to have their movement recognized as patriotic, rather than "turmoil" or "anarchy."
A crucial psychological element underpinning the pr… -
Tiananmen Square Protests of 1989
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Government Response and Martial Law
The CPC leadership, divided between moderate reformers like Zhao Ziyang (General Secretary) and hardliners led by Premier Li Peng and supported by Deng Xiaoping, struggled to formulate a unified response. Zhao Ziyang advocated for dialogue, while Li Peng insisted on swift suppression.
Following the failure of dialogue and perceiving the sustained occupation as a direct challenge to the Party's mandate, the State Council officially declared martial law on May 20. Howev…