# Deng Xiaoping

_Chinese politician and paramount leader from 1978 to 1989_

Canonical: https://diginpl.com/people/deng-xiaoping
Last updated: 2026-11-07

> Deng Xiaoping was a Chinese statesman, revolutionary, and political theorist who served as the paramount leader of the People's Republic of China (PRC) from 1978 to 1989. Emerging as China's most influential figure after Mao Zedong's death in 1976, Deng consolidated political power and guided the country into an era of reform and opening up that transitioned the nation toward a socialist market economy. Credited as the "architect of modern China", he is recognized for shaping both socialism with Chinese characteristics and Deng Xiaoping Theory.

## Quick facts

- **Born:** 22 August 1904 ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q16977#P569))
- **Place of birth:** Xiexing Town ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q16977#P19))
- **Died:** 19 February 1997 ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q16977#P570))
- **Place of death:** Beijing ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q16977#P20))
- **Citizenship:** Qing dynasty; Republic of China ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q16977#P27))
- **Occupation:** politician; journalist; diplomat; head of state ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q16977#P106))
- **Political party:** Chinese Communist Party (1924–1997); Kuomintang (1924–1927) ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q16977#P102))
- **Education:** Moscow Sun Yat-sen University; Communist University of the Toilers of the East ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q16977#P69))
- **Spouse:** Zhang Xiyuan; Jin Weiying; Zhuo Lin ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q16977#P26))
- **Positions held:** Chairman of the Central Military Commission of the People's Republic of China (6 June 1983 – 21 March 1990); Chairman of the Central Military Commission of the Chinese Communist Party (28 June 1981 – 9 November 1989); Chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (8 March 1978 – 22 June 1983); member of the Politburo Standing Committee of the Chinese Communist Party (21 July 1977 – 2 November 1987); member of the Politburo Standing Committee of the Chinese Communist Party (1975–1976); member of the Politburo Standing Committee of the Chinese Communist Party (1956–1967); General Secretary of the Central Committee's Secretariat (1956–1966); paramount leader of the People's Republic of China; Vice Premier of the State Council of the People's Republic of China ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q16977#P39))
- **Awards:** People's Liberation Army Strategist; Financial Times Person of the Year ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q16977#P166))

## Questions

**When was Deng Xiaoping born?**  
Deng Xiaoping was born on 22 August 1904 in Xiexing Town.

**What positions has Deng Xiaoping held?**  
Positions held by Deng Xiaoping include: Chairman of the Central Military Commission of the People's Republic of China (1983–1990); Chairman of the Central Military Commission of the Chinese Communist Party (1981–1989); Chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (1978–1983); member of the Politburo Standing Committee of the Chinese Communist Party (1977–1987); member of the Politburo Standing Committee of the Chinese Communist Party (1975–1976).

**Where did Deng Xiaoping study?**  
Deng Xiaoping was educated at Moscow Sun Yat-sen University, Communist University of the Toilers of the East.

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## Sources

- [Wikipedia (English): Deng Xiaoping](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deng_Xiaoping) — [CC BY-SA 4.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/)
- [Wikipedia (Nepali): देङ शियाओ पिङ](https://ne.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E0%A4%A6%E0%A5%87%E0%A4%99_%E0%A4%B8%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%93%E0%A4%AA%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%99) — [CC BY-SA 4.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/)
- [Wikidata item Q16977](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q16977) — [CC0 1.0](https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/)
- [Image: Deng Xiaoping at the arrival ceremony for the Vice Premier of China (cropped).jpg by Unknown author Unknown author (Public domain)](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Deng_Xiaoping_at_the_arrival_ceremony_for_the_Vice_Premier_of_China_(cropped).jpg)

## Licence and attribution

Text from the Wikipedia article Deng Xiaoping, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. This page's text is shared under the same licence. Facts from Wikidata (CC0). Image: Deng Xiaoping at the arrival ceremony for the Vice Premier of China (cropped).jpg — Unknown author Unknown author, Public domain.

## Cite this page

"Deng Xiaoping". DigiNepal. Last updated 7 November 2026. https://diginpl.com/people/deng-xiaoping. Retrieved 7 November 2026.