[jenshk]

The Great Leap Forward, has nothing to do with the current success in China. That was Mao's project that resulted in tens of millions of deaths. The reason for China's success is all about the economic reforms introduced by Deng Xiaoping in the 1980's. Deng's policies and influence is still relevate in todays China, except Xi Jinping is more hard core than Deng would have liked. Deng in his later years was more of a pragmatic than idealistic, as Deng said: "No matter if it is a white cat or a black cat; as long as it can catch mice, it is a good cat.".

Yes, what's happing in Xinjiang is terrible. But it does not take away from the success of Deng's policies in transforming China. Make no mistake - most Chinese backs the party, even thou they know it has also done some terrible things. They do that because of the financial success of the policies. It's also true, that there is currently no alternative to the party in China. Secondly there are many opinions inside the party both for and against Xi Jinping. It's not black and white.