Deng Xiaoping

<p class="default"><span style="color: #000000; font-size: 8pt; font-family: Arial;"> Deng, who died in 1997, invigorated the Chinese economy by investing heavily in development projects, welcoming foreign investment and keeping ideologues from exerting too much sway. He is remembered for folksy expressions delivered in his thick Sichuanese accent, like his call for pragmatism: "It doesn't matter whether it is a white cat or a black cat. As long as it can catch mice, it is a good cat." </span></p>