Deng Xiaoping was a Chinese revolutionary and statesman who served as the paramount leader of the People's Republic of China from 1978 to 1989. After the death of Mao Zedong in 1976, Deng rose to power and led China through a period of Reform and Opening Up that transformed China's economy into a socialist market economy. He is widely regarded as the "Architect of Modern China" for his contributions to socialism with Chinese characteristics and Deng Xiaoping Theory.