Late Chinese leader Deng Xiaoping’s influence over grandson lives on in his favourite game
Deng Zhuodi regrets never having had the chance to play bridge with his granddad
The grandson of late Chinese leader Deng Xiaoping has taken part in a public contest of one of his grandfathers’ favourite leisure activities after stepping down as a county deputy party chief in southern China last year.
Deng Zhuodi, the only child of Deng Xiaoping’s younger son Deng Zhifang, took part in a bridge competition in Beijing on March 3 and, with his partner, ranked 6th in the pairs competition of the senior group, according to a report on the Beijing Bridge League Club House website.
Deng also attended the annual meeting of the Beijing Bridge League on February 18 and was elected a council member, another post on the website said.
His grandfather Deng Xiaoping was an passionate bridge player. The former Chinese leader learned the game in 1952 and it then became his main recreational activity.
Deng Zhuodi said in an interview that the greatest impact his grandfather had on him was the game of bridge.
“I always watched my grandfather playing bridge when I was young, but it was a pity that I never played with him.”