Aug 18, 1980: Deng Xiaoping calls for reform in leadership system

August 18, 1944: CPC Central Committee issued instructions on diplomatic work, saying "the core content of our foreign policy is to fight against Japanese aggression with a united front and fight for democracy, in a bid to expand our influence."

Aug 18-23, 1980: An enlarged meeting of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee was held in Beijing, during which Deng Xiaoping on August 18 delivered a speech entitled the Reform of the Party and State Leadership System. He called for the end of bureaucracy, centralization of power, patriarchy and the system of lifelong tenure for those in leading posts.

Aug 18-19, 2009: A national work conference was held to discuss trial runs of a new rural pension system. Premier Wen Jiabao announced that the pilot program would be carried out in 10 percent of counties by the end of 2009, and throughout the whole nation by 2020.