ABSTRACT
The main architect of China's economic reforms from the late 1970s was undoubtedly Deng Xiaoping, a politician and statesman who was strongly interested in economic development. Although Sun Yefang died at a younger age and was a less prolific writer than Xue Muqiao, he had almost as much influence on economic thinking and policy making in China during and after the Mao era. Since agriculture was such an important part of China's economy and because China is so big and populous, Du Runsheng was undoubtedly one of the most influential economists in history. The fact that China's agricultural sector has performed so well since the start of market-oriented reforms in the late 1970s/early 1980s, is due, in part, to sensible policies promoted by Chen Xiwen. Guo Shuqing, youngest in the group of "younger generation reform economists", is probably also the most highly educated and the one with the broadest career experience.
