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'Deng Xiaoping Theory' (邓小平理论) is the series of political and economic ideologies first developed by Chinese leader Deng Xiaoping. Since the 1980s the theory has become a mandatory university class. Traditional Maoist theory put China's development focus on the building of socialism and class struggle, while Deng's Theory emphasized economic construction and stability. Deng's social philosophy included socialism with Chinese characteristics.
China's phenomenal economic growth largely owes its success to Deng Xiaoping Theory.
Deng first launched his theory in the aftermath of the Cultural Revolution (1966-1976), which was ordered by Mao Zedong. The general outline of the Deng Xiaoping Theory consists of the "Four Principles", among which are:

- Marxism and Leninism
- Party Loyalty
- Subjection to leadership
- Thoughts of Mao Zedong (Mao Zedong sixiang 毛泽东思想)

In 1992, fourteen years after Deng had risen up as China's paramount leader, he embarked on the "nanxun" or "Inspection visit to the South". There he, now a very old man, uttered the famous words: "kaifang 开放!". These words, which literally mean "open up", would indeed prove to be very significant for China's economic and social development up until the current day. After this surge of motivation, China both economically and socially started expanding and became the nation that will be hosting the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing and the World Expo in Shanghai in 2010.