Li pays homage to Deng Xiaoping

At the summit of Lianhua Mountain overlooking Shenzhen, China's earliest window to the outside world, a giant bronze statue of Deng Xiaoping greeted a faithful follower on Monday.

Premier Li Keqiang sorted out ribbons in a flower basket at the statue commemorating China's reform mastermind. It was the second day of Li's first journey outside of Beijing this year. His visit is expected to set the tone for the world's second-largest economy, which is struggling to recover from its lowest growth since the global financial crisis of 2008.

"In deep memory of Comrade Deng Xiaoping", the ribbons read. After placing the basket in front of the 6-meter-tall structure, Li bowed deeply in a gesture of tribute.