Deng Xiaoping, as the chief architect of China's reform and opening up, is undoubtedly one of the most influential figures in modern Chinese history. Although his achievements in economic reform and foreign policy are well known, his early life is rarely discussed publicly, and these unknown secrets may help us better understand this great statesman.
Deng Xiaoping was born in Sichuan Province in 1904 into a relatively modest family. His father, Deng Wenming, was a middle-class landlord and his mother died young. All this made Deng Xiaoping suffer from pressure from family and society as he grew up.
When he was five years old, Deng Xiaoping was sent to a traditional private school for education, and this period of education laid the foundation for his later political career.
In 1920, Deng Xiaoping, who was only 15 years old, went to France with a group of Chinese students. This trip was not only an opportunity to study, but also the beginning of his ideological development. In France, he came into contact with Marxism, which provided theoretical support for his later revolutionary career. His local work and social activities enabled him to establish good relationships with many revolutionaries of the Communist Party of China.
Deng Xiaoping once said: "Only by learning Western knowledge and truth can China be saved." This statement was reflected in his actions.
After returning to China, Deng Xiaoping joined the army and was subsequently closely involved in the tensions between the Kuomintang and the Communist Party. Especially in the battle with the Kuomintang, Deng Xiaoping's strategic ability was gradually recognized, but he also experienced major setbacks due to failures. He was criticized after the "Baise Uprising" in 1931, and this history became a major shadow in his later political career.
Deng Xiaoping's political career was not all smooth sailing. He was purged twice by Mao during the Cultural Revolution, a period during which his reputation was severely damaged. The experiences during this period made him deeply understand the fragility of power and the sinisterness of politics. It was not until after Mao Zedong's death that he returned to the stage.
In 1978, Deng Xiaoping regained power with his political savvy and began a comprehensive reform of China. He proposed the concept of "socialist market economy" and established special economic zones. His reform measures rapidly changed the landscape of China's economy, turning it into a rapidly rising economy in the world.
One of Deng Xiaoping’s famous sayings is: “It doesn’t matter whether the cat is black or white, as long as it catches mice, it is a good cat.” This sentence became his philosophy of jokes during the process of reform and opening up.
While Deng's policies brought China tremendous economic prosperity, his handling of the 1989 Tiananmen Square incident also brought him considerable controversy. His leadership style, especially the maintenance of authoritarian politics, has polarized his image in the global community.
Deng Xiaoping's early life and his unknown secrets may help us interpret the life of this complex figure. His story tells us that understanding the personal experiences behind history and politics is also an important way to understand the current world. So, regarding the historical evaluation of Deng Xiaoping, how should we view this highly controversial leader?