Traditionally the decision-making power for the most important decisions has been at the top of the leadership (Mao Zedong and Zhou Enlai and later Deng Xiaoping) By the late 1980s, Deng had initiated steps to institutionalize decision making and make it less dependent on personal authority, and this transition has been complete. By the late 1980s, more organizations were involved in China's foreign relations than at any time previously• Traditionally the decision-making power for the most important decisions has been at the top of the leadership (Mao Zedong and Zhou Enlai and later Deng Xiaoping). • By the late 1980s, Deng had initiated steps to institutionalize decision making and make it less dependent on personal authority, and this transition has been complete. • By the late 1980s, more organizations were involved in China's foreign relations than at any time previously