Deng Xiaoping (, ; 22 August 1904 – 19 February 1997), was a Chinese
revolutionary and
statesman. He was the paramount leader of
China from 1978 until his retirement in 1992. After
Mao Zedong's death, Deng led his country through far-reaching market-economy reforms. While Deng never held office as the
head of state,
head of government or
General Secretary (that is, the leader of the Communist Party), he nonetheless was considered the "
paramount leader" of the People's Republic of China from December 1978 to 1992. As the core of the second-generation leaders, Deng shared his power with several powerful older politicians commonly known as the
Eight Elders.