We want to achieve the four modernizations by the end of this century, which means that counting from this New Year’s Day, there are only 20 years left - the 1980s and the 1990s. This is a vital matter which conforms to the interests not only of the Chinese people but also of the people in the rest of the world. These are sincere words, not just empty rhetoric. Like the people of the rest of the world, we really need a peaceful environment, and thus, for the interest of our own country the goal of our foreign policy is a peaceful environment for achieving the four modernizations. This is possible, and it is precisely what we are working for. We believe, of course, that world war can be put off and peace maintained for a longer time if the struggle against hegemonism is carried on effectively. It is hard to predict what may happen internationally, but the 1980s are likely to be a decade of great turbulence and crises. The 1980s will be a very important decade both for China and for the world as a whole. Today is January 16, 1980, the 16th day of the new decade. Of course, we have to handle our many other affairs well too, but economic development is primary. Therefore, in the final analysis, the two tasks of opposing hegemonism and reunifying the country by achieving the return of Taiwan to the motherland both require that we do well in our economic development. With the success of the four modernizations and more economic growth, we will be in a better position to accomplish reunification. We are superior to Taiwan politically and in terms of economic system, but we must surpass Taiwan, at least to a certain extent, in economic development as well. In the final analysis, the return of Taiwan to motherland - the reunification of the country - also depends on our running our affairs at home well. With a stronger material base, we will be able to enhance it. Already our international role is not insignificant. If our country becomes more developed and prosperous, we will be in a position to play a greater role in international affairs. The role we play in international affairs is determined by the extent of our economic growth. Everything depends on our doing the work in our own country well. Modernization is at the core of all these three major tasks, because it is the essential condition for solving both our domestic and our external problems. Without sound economic foundations, it will be impossible to modernize our national defence, and science and technology should primarily serve economic construction. To put the matter in a nutshell, the four modernizations mean economic construction. Third, we must step up economic construction that is, we will step up the drive for China’s four modernizations. We will endeavour to attain this goal in the 1980s it will be an ever-present and important issue on our agenda, though there may be twists and turns in the course of its development. Second, we must work for the return of Taiwan to the motherland, for China’s reunification. In a word, the struggle against hegemonism is a grave task constantly confronting our country. There may be many similar problems in the future. The 1980s are off to a bad start, what with the Afghanistan affair and the Iranian affair, not to mention the Vietnamese and Middle Eastern questions which came up earlier. So the task of opposing hegemonism will be on our daily agenda. There is a consensus throughout the world that the 1980s will be a dangerous decade. The three major ones are as follows:įirst, in international affairs we must continue to oppose hegemonism and strive to preserve world peace. The first topic, then, is the three major tasks we have to perform in the 1980s and the domestic situation as we enter this decade. I would like to discuss the following three topics: first, the three major tasks for us in the 1980s and the situation - mainly the domestic one - as we enter the new decade second, the four essential problems to be solved, or the four prerequisites for achieving the four modernizations and third, upholding and improving leadership by the Communist Party. But since you want me to speak, I will do so. Of course, it is impossible for me to cover them all in my speech today, and the comments I am going to make on some of them may not be adequate. At present there are some problems within the Party and among the people which call for solution. Later, Comrade Hu Yaobang and others asked me to speak to more comrades about our expectations for their work in the coming year. On New Year’s Day I spoke for about 15 minutes at a meeting of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference. Deng Xiaoping: The Present Situation and the Tasks Before Us Deng Xiaoping The Present Situation and the Tasks Before Us 1980
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