ABSTRACT
Four events in 1976 marked the beginning of the end of the ideological fix that had governed the regime's policies since it won power in 1949. By 1979 there would be in place a new pragmatism, liberalism, and openness to the West. The first of these events was the death on 8 January 1976, of Chou En-lai, the Premier. He was an astute politician, a key leader who was widely respected among different factions in the party. Particularly, in the public's eyes he was unsullied by the "Cultural Revolution;" he was seen as an advocate for a rational socialism, as opposed to the party's demigod treatment of Mao and his policies; and was beloved among many Chinese. He helped moderate the internecine party conflicts while keeping the country together administratively and finally putting his weight on Mao's side.
