The Life of Deng Xiaoping

Though his contribution to the astounding success is downplayed these days in China, Deng Xiaoping truly was one of the most consequential leaders in PRC history. In this 8-Part series, Laszlo draws heavily on the late great Ezra Vogel’s 2013 book “Deng Xiaoping and the Transformation of China”.

Reviled for his role in the June Fourth, 1989 Incident and loved by so many people for his selfless devotion to the country, Deng Xiaoping’s story is one of the great ones in modern Chinese history. His story is also another way to review the timeline of Chinese history through the prism of his life from the last tears of the Guangxu Emperor to just before the handover of Hong Kong in 1997.