Deng Appearance, Fireworks Galore Welcome in Year of Rooster

Deng Xiaoping urged the nation forward under his economic reforms Friday as the Chinese greeted the Year of the Rooster with a paroxysm of pyrotechnical excess.

In what has become an annual event, Deng, a frail 88, was shown on the national television news greeting leaders of Shanghai. His rare public appearances are designed to assure Chinese that the nation’s senior leader is not on his deathbed as is often rumored.

Deng congratulated Shanghai on its development under his capitalist-style reforms and was quoted by the official Xinhua News Agency as saying, “I hope you will not lose the opportunities (for progress).

“For China the opportunities for great development are not many.”

Deng was shown walking with a guiding hand from his daughter, who repeated loudly into his ear what others said. His eyes seemed unfocused at times.

A few hours later at midnight, Chinese set off an amazing array of fireworks in colorful, thundering bursts.

“This is a way to get rid of last year’s evil influences,” maintenance worker Li Zhigang, 39, said.

While the reforms enjoy wide support for generally raising the standard of living, there is concern of an overheated economy and inflation.

The Lunar New Year, or Spring Festival, is China’s top holiday. The Year of the Rooster--Year 4691--replaces the Year of the Monkey under the Chinese zodiacal calendar of 12 animals.