(Xinhua)
Updated: 2008-02-20 18:24

In the southern city of Shenzhen, one of the country's first Special Economic Zones that lured foreign investment into the industrial sector, the local official daily newspaper carried a long article praising Deng's legacy, particularly his speech that was delivered during a tour of southern China in 1992.

The speech arbitrated the debate among officials and scholars about the proper attitude to the market economy that has become the underlying system in China.

"Practice of a planned economy is not equivalent to socialism because there is also planning under capitalism; Practice of a market economy is not equivalent to capitalism because there are also markets under socialism." This is one of his most oft-repeated quotes.

Experts believe Deng's simple but penetrating paradox paved the way for China's switch from a planned economcy to a market economy.

Deng used to tell party leaders that reform and opening up require greater boldness and courageous experiments, and must not proceed like a woman with bound feet.

China has never rein in its steps to carry on the reform and opening up drive.

In his report to the 17th National Congress of the CPC, President Hu Jintao said, "the orientation and path of reform and opening up are entirely correct, and their merits and achievements can never be negated. To stop or reverse reform and opening up would only lead to a blind alley".

Zhou Ruijin, former People's Daily vice editor-in-chief, wrote in an commemorating article, "Comrade Xiaoping always encouraged us to emancipate our mind and to take more courage to be the first. We need this kind of courage and wisdom, don't we?"

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