Today in History

Jan 18—Feb 21,1992: Deng Xiaoping visits 4 cities, and delivers important speeches

(chinadaily.com.cn)
Updated: 2011-03-25 16:36

Jan 18, 1955: East China military forces of PLA launch joint landing operations with army, navy and air force to Yijiangshan Island

On Jan 18, 1955 the East China military forces of PLA launched joint landing operations with the army , navy and air force to Yijiangshan Island. More than 1,000 people of KMT garrison were wiped out, forcing the KMT armies to retreat from the Dachen Island. From February 13 to 26 the PLA occupied Dachen Island, Yushan Islands, Phi Island and other islands. So far all of the Zhejiang coastal islands were liberated.

Jan 18—Feb 21, 1992: Deng Xiaoping visits Wuchang, Shenzhen, Zhuhai and Shanghai, and delivers important speeches

Deng Xiaoping pointed out a series of ideas in his speeches. "We should adhere to the basic line for a hundred years, with no vacillation," he whispered. "The criterion for judging the right or wrong in each aspect of work is mainly to see whether it is beneficial to the development of socialist productive forces, whether it helps increase the overall national strength of a socialist country, and whether it brings about the improvement of people's living standards. The essence of socialism is the liberation and development of productive forces, the elimination of exploitation and polarization, and the final achievement of common prosperity. More planning or more marketing is not the substantial distinction between socialism and capitalism. Intensifying the pace of reform and opening up, taking the opportunity to develop ourselves, and developing the economy are the key. Development is the absolute principle. China will turn "right," but this is mainly to prevent "left." We should insist on promoting the reform and opening-up on the one hand, and insist on fighting against the crime activities on the other hand. China's problems exist within the Communist Party. We should be aware of this and pay attention to cultivate talents in accordance with the "four modernizations" standard, selecting leaders with both ability and political integrity." Deng Xiaoping's Southern Talk incisively analyzed the international and domestic situation, scientifically summarizing the Party's basic practice and experience since the Third Plenary Session of the elenventh Central Committee, and clearly answered many major problems in the long-term constraining of people's thought. This talk was another declaration of emancipating the mind, seeking truth from facts to promote reform and opening-up and modernization to a new stage.