Poster of biography of Deng Xiaoping. The scene reenacts Deng's meeting with Margaret Thatcher. [Photo: baidu]

An official biography of Deng Xiaoping was recently published as a part of the commemorative activities.

The 48-episode series, which translates roughly as "Deng Xiaoping at History's Crossroads", was launched on China Central Television's channel 1 at 8pm on August 8. Two 45-minute episodes are being shown each night from Monday to Friday.

The drama tells the story of the former leader's life and those surrounding him from 1976 to 1984, an important period that defined today's China. It also reveals a host of political twists following the "cultural revolution" (1966-76).

Production of the series was overseen by the Literature Research Office of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and the provincial Party committee in Sichuan, where Deng was born in 1904.

Meanwhile, Hong Kong will hold an exhibition to commemorate the leader who formulated the "one country, two systems" principle that guided the city's repatriation and development.

The 3-day exhibition will kick off at Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Center on August 21. Deng's family members will also attend the opening ceremony.