Deng TV series lifts the lid on key years

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A host of political twists following the "cultural revolution" (1966-76) are revealed in a TV series commemorating the life of late top leader Deng Xiaoping.

The 48-episode series, which translates roughly as Deng Xiaoping During an Historic Turning Point, began on China Central Television’s channel 1 on Friday at 8 pm. Two 45-minute episodes are being shown each night from Monday to Friday.

Marking the 110th anniversary of Deng's birth, which falls on Aug 22, the drama tells the story of former leader and those surrounding him from 1976-1984, an important period that defined today's China.

Production of the series was overseen by the Literature Research Office of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and the provincial Party committee in Sichuan, where Deng was born in 1904.

The series cost 120 million yuan ($19.4 million) and was a year in the making. Its producers sent more than 10,000 copies to government leaders, researchers and those closely connected to Deng to seek their opinions, said the director, Wu Ziniu.

Wu Hui, professor of Party-building at the CPC Central Committee’s Party School, said, “The series is more realistic and attractive as it is successful in portraying the 'real' Deng Xiaoping to viewers."

He said the new series uses a great deal of its content to show what Deng was like in daily life, giving viewers a full picture of the statesman.

Wu said the drama comes at the right time, with the public placing great hopes in the leadership headed by President Xi Jinping.

"Deng pioneered the reform and opening-up that modernized China.”Now the government under President Xi has proved it has the determination and ability to resolve long-standing problems such as corruption and unfair distribution of income, so people have more hope that it will act like Deng to open a new chapter for the nation."

（中国日报网英语点津 Helen 编辑）

About the broadcaster:

Anne Ruisi is an editor at China Daily online with more than 30 years of experience as a newspaper editor and reporter. She has worked at newspapers in the U.S., including The Birmingham News in Alabama and City Newspaper of Rochester, N.Y.