In Atlanta, Deng captivated President Carter's home state and dominated the media for days even though he stayed there only twenty-three hours. Addressing a luncheon of 1,400 people, he complimented the historic leaders of Atlanta who had reconstructed the city after the destruction of the Civil War.94 He related the city's past experiences to China's current challenges: The American South had been considered a relatively backward area, “but it now has become a pacesetter. We in China are faced with the task of transforming our backwardness. . . . Your great encouragement has . . . increased
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