BEIJING (Reuters)

Some Chinese economists have called for bolder reforms on Thursday, coinciding with the 120th birthday of late reformist leader Deng Xiaoping. Several comments have been censored amid increased sensitivity to criticism of economic policy.

Thursday marks the 120th birthday of Deng, the leader behind historic reforms in 1978 that allowed for more private enterprise and opened the economy to foreign investment, leading to decades of rapid growth.

At a recent agenda-setting meeting, China’s leaders unveiled reforms that some experts claim do not sufficiently boost private-sector confidence or address the struggling economy.

A critical article by Zhang Weiying, a prominent liberal economist and professor at Peking University, was deleted twice by censors after gaining traction on social media. The piece, originally published in 2018, lauded Deng’s courage to embrace market forces despite state planning.

The tone of Zhang’s article reflects a broader disappointment among liberal economists regarding the slow pace of reforms. Other articles discussing reformist views related to Deng’s anniversary remain available.

Economist Wang Zhigang stated, “China has once again come to a crossroads in history,” asserting the need to thoroughly review and inherit Deng’s legacy to honor his impact.

President Xi Jinping praised Deng as the “chief architect of China’s socialist reform, opening up, and modernization” in a speech published by state-run Xinhua news agency.

On social media platform Weibo, hashtags related to Deng’s birthday garnered 50 million views by Thursday afternoon. Most posts were tributes from state media and government offices.

Deng Xiaoping passed away in 1997 at the age of 92.