To what extent was Deng Xiaoping a political and economic reformer in the years 1976 to 1997?

Candidates are required to consider the merits or otherwise of the argument that Deng was a political and economic reformer. Candidates may agree, partly agree or disagree on the extent to which Deng was a reformer. Candidates may argue he was an economic reformer but that politically his regime was oppressive. Evidence to support the argument that he was an economic reformer could include the Four Modernizations, the Special Economic Zones (SEZs) and the opening up of China to international trade. Whether he was a political reformer is more debatable. Evidence to support the statement that Deng was a political reformer may include examples of how he rehabilitated victims of the Anti-Rightist Campaigns or how he initially supported the Democracy Wall. Examples to support the argument that he was not a political reformer may focus on the generally oppressive nature of the regime and the events in Tiananmen Square (1989).