Look at the events on this historical timeline. In one paragraph, identify which event you think was most influential in China’s recent history and explain why.

One of the most influential moments in China's recent history is the ascension to power of Deng Xiaoping, who became China's leader from 1978 until 1989, shortly after the death of his predecessor and founder of communist China: Mao Zedong, who died in 1976.

Deng Xiaoping began a series of economic reforms. These reforms consisted in the introduction of some market incentives in specific areas of the country: the special economic zones. In these zones, private investment was promoted by the state, and this led to the rapid transformation and development of the Chinese economy that we still see to this day.