Deng TV show highlights historic transformation

By Cathy Wong Source:Global Times Published: 2014-8-11 0:43:02

Drama gives renewed perspective of history by breaking taboos: expert


A television series telling the story of Deng Xiaoping and his leadership of China from 1976-84 will give a renewed perspective of China's historic transformation in the late 1970s as well as insights for the country's current development, said analysts Sunday.

The series is a high-profile commemoration of the late leader's 110th birthday. Deng was born in Southwest China's Sichuan Province on August 22, 1904.

The 48-episode TV drama series, Deng Xiaoping at History's Crossroad, which premiered at prime time Friday on China Central Television, chronicles Deng's leadership between late 1976, when the "Gang of Four" was purged at the end of the Cultural Revolution (1966-76), until 1984 when the country fully implemented the policy of reform and opening up initiated by Deng, reported the Xinhua News Agency.

Deng initiated in 1978 the new policy of "Socialism with Chinese Characteristics" during a key Party plenary session that has set the tone for China's development ever since. In the past 36 years, China has opened up to a market economy while continuing to adhere to socialist ideology.

The show has gained public attention as some Net users appreciate it for touching on sensitive historical subjects.

"While it is broadcast as an expected part of the nationwide commemoration activities, the TV series also comes at a time when China's reform is experiencing 'uncharted waters,'" Yin Yungong, an expert on the socialist system at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, told the Global Times. China's reform has progressed to a more challenging and complicated phase, he noted.

Over the past 36 years, people have put forward different interpretations of Chinese reform, but the fundamental belief that it is to benefit the people remains unchanged, said Yin.

Cai Zhiqiang, a professor on Party building with the Party School of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, agreed and said he believes that the current leadership's ruling logic is still consistent with the reform framework set by Deng.

"The 'Chinese dream' put forth by President Xi Jinping is a step forward from Deng's reform which aims at improving China's economy for better living standards for people," Cai said.

Both Yin and Cai agreed that Deng's legacy and influence is still present today as Xi's current key policies such as the anti-graft campaign and elimination of the wealth gap are inherited from Deng's philosophy.

The drama will also give society a renewed perspective on history by breaking taboos as it features "sensitive figures" such as former Party leaders Hua Guofeng and Hu Yaobang, said Yin.

However, Yin Hong, executive vice dean of the school of journalism and communication at Tsinghua University, downplayed any major breakthrough on historical viewpoints presented by the drama.

"The party's evaluation on Hua and Hu has always been positive, although they are still widely regarded by the society as 'sensitive figures' and are rarely portrayed on film and television," Yin Hong told the Global Times.

"But it is still progress and a display of confidence as we are no longer dodging the subject [of Hua and Hu]," he said, adding "it has more of a political message than artistic value."

The character of late leader Zhao Ziyang may also appear in upcoming episodes, reported Hong Kong-based Ming Pao daily, quoting an unidentified insider from the series production team.



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