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China POLITICAL REALIGNMENTS AT THE PARTY CENTER
Chairman Hua Guofeng presided over the historic Third Plenum of
the Eleventh National Party Congress in December 1978, his
authority rooted in his generally acknowledged claim to be Mao
Zedong's chosen successor. Viewed in historical context, Hua's role
was that of a relatively minor figure temporarily bridging the gap
between the radical leadership associated with Mao and the Cultural
Revolution and the emergence of new political leaders who could
consolidate national policy and assert credible authority
(see The Post-Mao Period, 1976-78
, ch. 1). Hua's political weakness was most
graphically illustrated by the rehabilitation--for the second time-
-of Deng Xiaoping, in July 1977, and Deng's subsequent successful
elevation of his proteges and initiation of a comprehensive reform
program to realize the Four Modernizations.
This transitional period moved toward far-reaching reform and
even a reassessment of Mao Zedong Thought. Economic development and
material rewards to motivate producers replaced the Maoist emphasis
on ideological goals and incentives. A stress on political
stability supplanted the call to "continuing revolution." In
Chinese academic circles, efforts were made to restore and raise
academic standards, and party leaders stressed the importance of
science and technology and the contribution of intellectuals in
realizing modernization. The liberalization of expression in
intellectual and cultural circles led to further questioning of the
Cultural Revolution, Mao's role, and Mao Zedong Thought.
Between 1979 and 1981 it became necessary to "readjust" some of
the reform programs and initiatives to effect a balance between
reformist and conservative forces. The major issues dividing these
forces were China's capacity to sustain rapid economic development
and the political and cultural consequences of opening up to the
world and allowing liberalization of expression and behavior. The
retrenchment that followed was a readjustment and not an end to
Deng Xiaoping's reform agenda.
Data as of July 1987
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