When

The Four Modernizations

Formally presented by Zhou Enlai in 1964, reaffirmed in 1975, and promoted under Deng Xiaoping beginning in 1978.

Special Economic Zones (SEZs)

The first four—Shenzhen, Zhuhai, Shantou, and Xiamen—were established in 1980.

Democracy Wall

1978–1979.

The Household Responsibility System

Experiments began in 1978, and the system became dominant nationwide by 1983.

TVEs (Township and Village Enterprises)

Expanded rapidly during the 1980s and early 1990s; many were privatized in the late 1990s.

The Dual-Track System

Operated mainly during the 1980s and was phased out in the early 1990s, with material-balance planning abolished by the end of 1993.

Playing to the Provinces

Associated with Deng-era reforms during the 1980s, including provincial revenue-sharing arrangements beginning in 1980.

Fang-Shou Cycle

Associated with the post-1978 reform era, especially the alternating periods of openness and tightening during the 1980s.

Hu Yaobang

Lived 1915–1989; served as CCP chairman from 1981–1982 and general secretary from 1980–1987; died April 15, 1989.

Zhao Ziyang

Lived 1919–2005; served as premier from 1980–1987 and CCP general secretary from 1987–1989.

Nomenclatura (Nomenklatura)

Operating in the PRC by the 1950s; reformed in August 1984 to shift appointment authority generally from two ranks below to one rank below.