From 1976 to 1992, Deng Xiaoping as core, Chen Yun, Hu Yaobang, Zhao Ziyang, Hua Guofeng, Ye Jianying, Song Ping. These leaders were also involved in the Chinese revolution, but with the exception of Deng Xiaoping, served in more junior roles. Unlike the first generation, many were educated overseas, particularly in France. Their young formative experiences were similar to the first generation. Most had some position of authority during the Cultural Revolution, although as a rule those that held power after the 1980s were purged during that decade. This generation turned the focus from class struggle and political movements to economic development, pioneering Chinese economic reform. Dominant political ideology of the era was Deng Xiaoping Theory.
From 1992 to 2003, Jiang Zemin as core, Li Peng, Zhu Rongji, Qiao Shi, Li Ruihuan - These leaders were born before the revolution but were educated afterwards before the Sino-Soviet split. Most of them received education in the Soviet Union as engineers and entered the party initially as factory managers. Unlike their predecessors, there is a split between the political and military leadership. Their formative experiences included the Second Sino-Japanese War and the Korean War. This generation continued economic development while China saw the emergence of various serious social issues. Dominant political ideology was officially Jiang's Three Represents.
From 2003, likely will last until 2013. Hu Jintao is the core figure, the prominent leaders include Wu Bangguo, Wen Jiabao, Zeng Qinghong, Jia Qinglin, and Wu Yi. It is also known as the "republican generation" or the Hu-Wen Administration. These were promoted to top leadership at the 16th Party Congress and are expected to remain in power until the 18th party congress in 2012. The majority of this generation of leaders were engineers whose academic lives were disrupted by the Cultural Revolution and, unlike both their predecessors and successors, have spent very little time overseas. Dominant political ideology of this era is Hu's Scientific Development Concept and a goal for a Harmonious Society. They are generally seen as more populist than the previous generation.
