Deng opponent to resign from Chinese congress

Marshal Ye Jianying will step down as chairman of the National People's Congress this Friday, says party general secretary Hu Yaobang. Marshal Ye, an octogenarian, has long been identified by Western observers as a principal opponent of the economic reforms of leader Deng Xiaoping, reports Monitor correspondent Takashi Oka. His resignation is seen as one more sign that Dengist forces have consolidated their power. Ye's acting successor will be Peng Zhen.