The reform and open-door policy of China began with the adoption of a new economic development strategy at teh Third Plenary Session of the 11 th Central Committee of the Chinese Communist Party in late 1978. Under the leadership of Deng Xiaoping, who had returned to the political arena after his three previous defeats, the Chinese government began to pursue an open- door policy, in which it adopted a stance to achieve economic growth through the active introduction of foreign capital and technology while maintaining its commitment to socialism.