1997 Event Deng Xiaoping, leader of China, cremated (died Feb 19th) 1997 Death Deng Xiaoping, head of the Chinese Communist Party, dies at 92 1989 Event Soviet president Mikhail Gorbachev and Chinese leader Deng Xiaoping ended a 30-year rift when they formally met in Beijing 1983 Event Li Xiannian becomes president/Deng Xiaoping supreme commander of China PR 1979 Event Chinese vice-premier Deng Xiaoping visits Washington, D.C. 1976 Event Chinese Politburo fires vice-premier Deng Xiaoping 1904 Birthday Deng Xiaoping, Chinese party leader, 1976-1983
