Deng Xiaoping was the leader of the economic reform movement in 1978 . Reforms opened country up economically to the outside world . In 30 years China has had an average annual growth rate of 4 percent . China is now the world 's fourth - largest economy .
Deng Xiaoping was the architect of the economic reform movement in 1978 . Reforms opened country up economically to the outside world . In 30 years China has maintained an average annual growth rate of 9.8 percent . China is now the world 's fourth-largest economy .