DUBLIN - Government and Opposition figures last night paid tribute to Deng Xiaoping's leadership of his country and urged his successors to continue to lead China towards reform, writes Mark Brennock, Foreign Affairs Correspondent.
The Tanaiste, Mr Spring, said Deng "had been an important political figure whose loss will be deeply felt in China. During his long life Deng witnessed momentous changes in his country. He led China in a period of economic reform and leaves an imposing legacy behind him.
"Those who follow in his path will face the challenge of building on, and deepening, the process of change that characterised the year's of Deng Xiaoping's political ascendancy."
Fianna Fail's foreign affairs spokesman, Mr Ray Burke, said he sympathised with the Chinese people. He said Deng "was a man who survived China's Cultural Revolution and brought the Chinese people a certain distance towards economic progress.
"I hope the new leadership in Beijing will be far more conscious of human rights issues, particularly the treatment of the people of Tibet. I also hope the new leadership will have the confidence in themselves to move quickly towards democracy and to ensure that we will never have another Tiananmen Square.