How were calls for democracy treated under Deng Xiaoping?

Under Deng Xiaoping, calls for democracy were largely suppressed, especially during the 1989 Tiananmen Square protests, where students and citizens demanded political reform and greater freedoms. Deng prioritized economic modernization and stability over political liberalization, viewing dissent as a threat to the Communist Party's control. The government's violent crackdown on protesters reinforced its commitment to maintaining authoritarian rule, effectively stifling any significant push for democratic reforms during his leadership.