In the aftermath of Mao Zedong's death in , Deng succeeded in consolidating power to lead China through a period of Reform and Opening Up that transformed its economy into a socialist market economy. He is widely regarded as the "Architect of Modern China" for his contributions to socialism with Chinese characteristics and Deng Xiaoping Theory.
Born in Sichuan , Deng first became interested in Marxism—Leninism while studying abroad in France in the s. After the proclamation of the PRC in , Deng held several key regional roles, eventually rising to vice premier and CCP secretary-general in the s.
He presided over economic reconstruction efforts and played a significant role in the Anti-Rightist Campaign. During the Cultural Revolution from , Deng was condemned as the party's "number two capitalist roader" after Liu Shaoqi , and was purged twice by Mao. After Mao's death in , Deng outmaneuvered his rivals to become the country's leader in Upon coming to power, Deng began a massive overhaul of China's infrastructure and political system. Due to the institutional disorder and political turmoil from the Mao era, he and his allies launched the Boluan Fanzheng program which sought to restore order by rehabilitating those who were persecuted during the Cultural Revolution.
He also initiated a reform and opening up program that introduced elements of market capitalism to the Chinese economy by designating special economic zones within the country. In , Deng embarked on a series of political reforms including the setting of constitutional term limits for state officials and other systematic revisions which were incorporated in the country's fourth constitution.
He later championed a one-child policy to deal with China's perceived overpopulation crisis , helped establish China's nine-year compulsory education , and oversaw the launch of the Program to promote science and technology. The reforms carried out by Deng and his allies gradually led China away from a command economy and Maoist dogma , opened it up to foreign investments and technology, and introduced its vast labor force to the global market —thereby transforming China into one of the world's fastest-growing economies.
