Gu Mu

Gu Mu (; September 1914 – November 6, 2009) was a Chinese revolutionary figure and politician, who served as the Vice Premier of China between 1975 and 1982. As one of Deng Xiaoping's main aides in charge of economic management, he played a major role in implementing Deng's reform and opening up of the 1980s. He was a key figure in the creation of Shenzhen, China's first Special Economic Zone.

Early life and career Gu Mu was born in September 1914 in a village in Rongcheng, Shandong. His birth name was Liu Jiayu . Although his parents were poor peasants, he received a good education at the insistence of his grandfather.

He joined the Communist Party in July 1932 and became involved in revolutionary activities in Wendeng County, where he was attending school. He changed his name to "Gu Mu" to avoid implicating his family. In 1934, Gu went to Beijing (then known as Beiping) and became a leader of the Beiping branch of the League of Left-Wing Writers.

During his service as Vice Director of the Economic Commission, Gu was assigned in 1964 to lead the Third Front Construction Support and Examination Small Group. This small group was tasked with providing resources for the Third Front campaign to develop basic industry and national defense industry in China's rugged interior in an effort to prepare for potential United States or Soviet invasion. Gu was later removed from his positions and suffered political persecution like many other leaders.

He returned to work in 1973 as head of the State Development and Planning Commission. In 1975, he was appointed a Vice-Premier under Zhou Enlai, and led the State Construction Commission and the Import and Export Commission of the State Council. On the trip Gu visited France, Belgium, Denmark, Switzerland, and West Germany. Deng tasked Gu with making a detailed investigation, emphasizing that the delegation should learn from the advanced experience of capitalism. On returning to China, the Gu delegation reported to the Chinese Communist Party Politburo and strongly influenced subsequent policy to open towards foreign technology.

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