The leader known for his radical reforms and governance in China is Mao Zedong. As the founding father of the People's Republic of China, Mao implemented transformative policies including the Great Leap Forward and the Cultural Revolution. His governance aimed to reshape Chinese society and its economy through collectivization and ideological campaigns. Although Mao's reforms aimed to establish a communist state, they often led to social upheaval and widespread suffering. His legacy remains controversial, as his contributions to China's modernization contrast sharply with the significant human costs associated with his policies.