But even pragmatists have core principles that limit their actions, and Deng was no exception. Two ideas were incontrovertible: the CCP could retain its grip on power only by delivering economic development, and China could modernize only under a strong one-party system.
邓小平有一句名言，“不管黑猫白猫，能抓到老鼠就是好猫。”这被认为是邓小平坚定务实主义的写照。但即使是务实主义者，也有核心原则约束他们的行为，邓小平亦不例外。他有两个信念是不可动摇的：中国共产党只有通过经济发展才能继续掌握权力；中国只有在强大的一党制度下才能实现现代化。