As Xi forges own path, China plays down Deng's economic policy

Government Work Report sees sharp reduction in phrase 'opening up'

Chinese President Xi Jinping during the opening session of the National People's Congress on March 5. © Reuters

TSUKASA HADANO, Nikkei staff writer

March 11, 2022 05:59 JST

BEIJING -- China has walked back its embrace of economic reform and opening up first espoused by Deng Xiaoping, a close reading of the latest Government Work Report reveals, underscoring President Xi Jinping's intent to de-emphasize the policies of the late former leader.

The report serves as the economic and fiscal blueprint for the year. Premier Li Keqiang, the No. 2 leader, has recited the document during every annual National People's Congress since 2013, the year after Xi took over as General Secretary of the Chinese Communist Party.