In the late 1980s, the Asian nation of China experienced economic and political reforms under the prosperous leadership of Deng Xiaoping. The reforms were aimed at modernizing the Chinese economy by allowing greater economic freedom, decentralizing government control, and encouraging foreign investment. The policy changes, known as the "Four Modernizations," led to significant economic growth and helped China become a major global economic power in the decades that followed. The reforms also marked a shift towards a more market-oriented economy, while maintaining the Communist Party's political control over the country.