http://www.cbc.ca/story/world/national/2005/01/16/zhao050116.html
Last Updated Sun, 16 Jan 2005 20:19:15 EST
CBC News
BEIJING - Zhao Ziyang, the man who was once China's Communist party chief, has died.
* INDEPTH: China
China's former Premier Zhao Ziyang at a 1984 reception in Washington (AP File Photo)
He was deposed from his post and put under house arrest in 1989 because he opposed the military crackdown against protesters in Tiananmen Square.
Zhao died in hospital after suffering multiple strokes, according to an official government announcement.
Born in Henan province, Zhao had been a member of the Communist party since 1932.
He rose to prominence as the leader of the party in Guangdong province, but during the Cultural Revolution he was denounced and marched through the streets in a dunce cap.
He was later assigned to work in Inner Mongolia.
But by 1973 Zhao had been reformed and returned to the inner circle, eventually worked his way into the Politburo, becoming a full member in 1979, supported by Deng Xiaoping.
In 1980 Zhao became premier and was credited with setting the stage for much of the prosperity China enjoys today. He was responsible for the 'preliminary stage theory' a course for transforming the socialist system.
His policies included giving limited self-management to industrial enterprises and increased control over production to peasants.
Zhao also championed political reform, believing economic progress was inextricably linked to democratization.
In 1987 Zhao became general secretary of the party, but the events in Tiananmen Square two years later proved to be his downfall.
Zhao went to the square and met with the students, imploring them to abandon their vigil. His actions put him in direct conflict with China's leadership; Deng Xiaoping, Li Peng and Yang Shangkung.
Zhao was placed under house arrest, but remained an iconic figure. In recent years, reports of his ill-health have led to government nervousness that his death will lead to unrest and protests.