Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, chats with people in Lianhuashan Park in Shenzhen during his inspection tour of Guangdong province from Friday to Tuesday.[Lan Hongguang / Xinhua]

Xi Jinping's first inspection tour as general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee sends an unmistakable signal that the new leadership is determined to deepen reforms and boost innovation, analysts said.

"The central committee of our Party made the right decision in starting reform and opening-up," Xi told residents and tourists in Shenzhen during a five-day tour of South China's Guangdong province.

"We will follow this proven path and continue to develop our country and improve living standards.

"We will promote reform in more fields," he said after laying a wreath in front of a statue of Deng Xiaoping.

After Deng initiated reform and opening-up in 1978, Shenzhen, then a small fishing village, and other places in Guangdong evolved into industrial and technological hubs.

Xi said he felt obliged to honor the history of reform and opening-up at the place that pioneered the historic cause.

"Our country's reform has entered a crucial and delicate stage, which requires us to have more political courage and wisdom and seize opportunities to enhance reforms in important sectors," Xi said during the tour, according to Xinhua News Agency.

"We must make sure reform and opening-up continue to move in the right direction. We must dare to resolve tough and risky issues.

"We should not fear breaking down theoretical or conceptual barriers and destroying the strongholds of vested interests," he was quoted as saying by Xinhua.

He also mentioned that the CPC will initiate a plan to adjust the political superstructure, based on investigation and research, to deepen reform.

Li Chengyan, a professor at Peking University's school of government, told China Daily that the visit was significant.

"Guangdong is like a symbol of China's modernization drive,'' Li said.

"It has three of the first four special economic zones in China and is regarded as the front line of reform and opening-up. Moreover, this year is the 20th anniversary of Deng's inspection tour to southern China, during which Guangdong was an important stop.

"Therefore, I think the reason Xi chose Guangdong as the first destination of his inspection tour after taking office as the Party's top leader is to show his determination to continue reform and opening-up."

The visit also signifies Xi's support for the province's achievements during the past 30 years.

Xi's route in Guangdong was almost identical to that of Deng, who visited Shenzhen, Zhuhai, Foshan and Guangzhou in January and February 1992.

Related readings:

New leadership, new style