Final answer:
Mao Zedong adapted Marxism to create a classless society in China, focusing on the peasantry rather than the proletariat as agents of revolution. Deng Xiaoping later continued Mao's work, pursuing economic reforms to further the communist agenda.
Step-by-step explanation:
Under the leadership of Mao Zedong, China aimed to achieve a classless society which was the final stage in the Marxist theory of communism. Mao adapted Marxism to fit the Chinese context, emphasizing the role of the peasantry rather than the industrial proletariat as the main force for revolution. The peasantry, according to Maoism, could lead China into communism under the guidance of a strong political party. This distinct approach was necessary given China's primarily agricultural and non-industrialized society at the time.
In the context of Marxism, a classless society represents an end to the societal divisions and conflict between the ruling class capitalists and the working class, leading to a society where all people share in the creation and allocation of goods and are free from class oppression.
Deng Xiaoping, Mao’s successor, acknowledged the progress made but noted that the goal of a classless society had not yet been fully achieved, leading to economic reforms to continue progressing towards communist goals.