Deng era still plays pivotal role

Deng blueprint still becoming a reality, Xi says

The 110thanniversary of the birth of Deng Xiaoping on Aug 22 provided a good opportunity for the Chinese to reflect on how their life was shaped by the "chief engineer" of China's reform. People also want to know how their future will be shaped by looking back into the past.

Books, television series and seminars on Deng's life, thoughts and influence began to appear months earlier.

Deng Xiaoping was an unyielding statesman. Surviving several persecutions, he was still full of passion and hope for the nation's future. When he really started running the nation in 1978, he was already 74 years old.

In my point of view, Deng's biggest contribution can be generalized in his famous saying "Emancipate thoughts. Seek truth from facts." He redefined the relations between humans, and the relations between humans and the materials in China after the "cultural revolution" (1966-76).

He allocated the commune's land to individual farmers. He resumed the college entrance exams that were suspended for 10 years. He encouraged the development of a private economy and foreign investment.

Were it not for the pragmatism, China could have continued the political havoc that separated the country from other modern nations.

Deng said: "Science and technology constitute the primary productive force" that propel the progress of a human society.

It was believed that life-or-death "class struggles" push forward the evolution of society before Deng.

Deng won tremendous supports from farmers, intellectuals and businessmen from home and abroad. The livelihoods of almost all Chinese improved remarkably in his rule.

The pioneering Shenzhen special economic zone and "one country, two systems" proposal for Hong Kong's return are now recognized as Deng's great legacy.

Chinese President Xi Jinping emphasized in an official gathering in memory of Deng on Wednesday that the blueprint drafted by him is becoming a reality step by step, leading the Chinese nation to its renewal and prosperity.

But the socialist market economy Deng called to build also has many problems to solve.

Xi's dedication to tackle many long-term issues that have developed since the Deng era has convinced the public he is a man of deeds, not words, the one to perfect Deng's blueprint.

The most outstanding issues include the officials' corruption and power abuse, government's interference with the economy and serious environmental pollution.

The downfall of Bo Xilai, Xu Caihou and Zhou Yongkang, all senior officials that were considered immune to corruption investigations, sends shudders down the spines of civil servants.

That Xi called this year the "first year of China's reform" earlier this week in a meeting on reform in Beijing exposed his ambition of realizing a great "China Dream," along Deng's path.

In foreign affairs, Deng broke some diplomatic deadlocks with important countries through his solutions, which have ensured a long-term stable and peaceful external environment for China's fast growth.

Deng attached great importance to gradualism and pragmatism in dealing with international relations. China demonstrates great restraint and confidence even under gravely provocative circumstances. Yet, Deng never wavered on some basic issues such as China's sovereignty.

The state leaders after Deng have maintained his principles on foreign issues as well. The leaders are always clearheaded about China's status as a developing country, even after China became the second largest economy in the world.

Since Deng's era, China has appeared as a responsible power, pro peace, equality and cooperation.

Deng set a good example for the future leaders by quitting his job initiatively, which represents the end of a life tenure system for state leaders in China. That the leaders after Deng have all strictly abided by the rules ensures peaceful and stable power handovers in the big country.

Thanks to Deng's self-confidence and wisdom, China chose an independent path of development in the Cold War era.

Jiang Zeming, Hu Jintao and Xi Jinping, the three leaders after Deng, have made unswerving efforts to develop Deng's path into a socialist system with Chinese characteristics.

The system proves full of vitality and flexibility, and fits China's national conditions well.

liyang@chinadaily.com.cn