The Chinese leader who died in 1997 was Deng Xiaoping. Deng Xiaoping was a prominent figure in Chinese politics, serving as the paramount leader of China from the late 1970s until his death in 1997. He is widely credited with implementing economic reforms that helped to modernize China and transform it into a global economic powerhouse. During his time in power, Deng Xiaoping oversaw the "Four Modernizations" which focused on agriculture, industry, science and technology, and defense. These reforms helped to open up China to foreign investment and trade, leading to significant economic growth and development. Deng Xiaoping was also known for his pragmatic approach to governance, often prioritizing economic development over ideological purity. This approach led to Deng Xiaoping famously stating, "It doesn't matter if a cat is black or white, as long as it catches mice." Despite his contributions to China's economic development, Deng Xiaoping's legacy is not without controversy. He was also responsible for ordering the military crackdown on the pro-democracy protests in Tiananmen Square in 1989, which resulted in the deaths of hundreds, if not thousands, of protesters. Overall, Deng Xiaoping's leadership had a lasting impact on China and its place in the world. His economic reforms laid the foundation for China's rapid growth and modernization, while his pragmatic approach to governance continues to influence Chinese politics to this day. To learn more about Deng Xiaoping and his legacy, you can visit the following urls: - [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deng_Xiaoping](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deng_Xiaoping) - [https://www.britannica.com/biography/Deng-Xiaoping](https://www.britannica.com/biography/Deng-Xiaoping) In conclusion, Deng Xiaoping was a transformative figure in Chinese history, whose leadership shaped the country's modernization and economic development. His legacy continues to be felt in China and around the world.

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