In quotes: Deng Xiaoping

(chinadaily.com.cn) Updated: 2014-08-20 10:50

Nearly three decades ago, during an interview with US journalist Mike Wallace, Deng Xiaoping said, "I always tell the truth, and I always tell our people not to engage in empty talk."

Simple, honest and direct had always been his style. That's why he was nicknamed by former Chinese leader Mao Zedong as "Xiaogangpao"(small-sized gun, referring to a frank and out-spoken person).

Here are some of his most famous words.

Deng Xiaoping visits a botanical garden during a visit to Shenzhen in 1992. [Photo/xinhuanet.cn]

In quotes: Deng Xiaoping

One country, two systems.
-- in 1982

In quotes: Deng Xiaoping

It doesn't matter whether the cat is black or white, so long as it catches mice.
-- Excerpt from a speech at the Communist Youth League conference on July 7, 1962

To uphold socialism we must eliminate poverty. Poverty is not socialism.
-- Excerpt from a talk with the Japanese delegation on June 30, 1984

The chief criterion (for telling whether the road is capitalist or socialist) should be whether it promotes the growth of the productive forces in a socialist society, increases the overall strength of the socialist state and raises living standards.
-- Excerpt from talks given in Wuchang, Shenzhen, Zhuhai and Shanghai, Jan 18-Feb 21, 1992

In quotes: Deng Xiaoping

If any problem arises in China, it will arise from inside the Communist Party.
-- Excerpt from talks given in Wuchang, Shenzhen, Zhuhai and Shanghai, Jan 18-Feb 21, 1992

Throughout the process of reform and opening, we must combat corruption. Cadres and party members should consider it of prime importance to build a clean government. But we still have to rely on the law, which provides a firm guarantee.
-- Excerpt from talks given in Wuchang, Shenzhen, Zhuhai and Shanghai, Jan 18-Feb 21, 1992

As for punishing corruption, we should handle at least 10 to 20 major cases publicly and without delay. If we do not punish corruption, especially among high-level Party leaders, we run the risk of failing to rectify the Party and to achieve our strategic goals.
-- Excerpt from a talk with leading members of the Central Committee of the CPC on June 16, 1989

We can always uncover major cases of corruption if we want to. The problem is that we are usually hesitant about handling such cases. So we end up losing the support of the people, who come to believe that we are protecting the wrongdoers.
-- Excerpt from a talk with two leading members of the CPC Central Committee on May 31, 1989