Deng Xiaoping was a Chinese statesman, revolutionary, and political theorist who served as the paramount leader of the People's Republic of China from 1978 to 1989. In the aftermath of Mao Zedong's death in 1976, Deng consolidated power to lead China through a period of "reform and opening up" that transformed it into a socialist market economy. He is regarded as the "Architect of Modern China" for contributions to socialism with Chinese characteristics and Deng Xiaoping Theory.