Cultural Revolution thumb|left|Deng Xiaoping (left) with future president Li Xiannian (center) and Premier Zhou Enlai in 1963 Mao feared that the reformist economic policies of Deng and Liu could lead to restoration of capitalism and end the Chinese Revolution. For this and other reasons, Mao launched the Cultural Revolution in 1966, during which Deng fell out of favor and was forced to retire from all his positions.
Cultural Revolution thumb|left|Deng Xiaoping (left) with future president Li Xiannian (center) and Premier Zhou Enlai in 1963 M,ao feared that the reformist economic policies of Deng and Liu could lead to restoration of capitalism and end the Chinese Revolution. For this and other reasons Mao launched the Cultural Revolution in 1966, during which Deng fell out of favor and was forced to retire from all his positions.