On January 16, 1980 (the 29th day of the lunar winter month), Deng Xiaoping proposed that three things should be done well in the 1980s.

On January 16, 1980, the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China convened a meeting of Party, political and military cadres, and Deng Xiaoping made a report on the current situation and tasks. The report proposed that the 1980s should be mainly three things: the first is to oppose hegemony in international affairs and safeguard world peace. The second is to return Taiwan to the motherland and realize the reunification of the motherland.

It is pointed out that four problems must be solved to realize the four modernizations: first, there must be an unswerving and consistent political line; second, there must be a political situation of stability and unity; third, there must be an entrepreneurial spirit of hard work; fourth, there must be a team of cadres who adhere to the socialist path and have professional knowledge and ability. The report emphasizes the importance of upholding and improving the party's leadership.