After 1989 Bo intervened numerous times to support Deng's efforts to restart economic (but not political) liberalization, and to prevent economic hardliners from dominating Party politics.[1] Even after completely retiring during the 1990s, his status meant that he remained an influential figure who still pulled strings behind the scenes and could make or unmake party officials.[2] He used his influence to support the rise of Jiang Zemin, who became the General Secretary of the Communist Party of China in the 1989.