Twenty-eight years ago, CBS’s "60 Minutes" correspondent Mike Wallace interviewed Deng in Beijing. During the exchange Deng explained China’s economic and political policies and clarified its stand on various international issues.

The interview proved unforgettable for Wallace who felt Deng was a person who was frank, amiable and easy to approach, and the whole conversation was held in a relaxed atmosphere. "I met many world leaders but had never before met Deng Xiaoping. Deng is different from the others, he is unique", Wallace said when recalling the interview.