China, in the late 1980s and early 1990s, stood at a crossroads of reform and opening-up and the launch of its growth model. If the country did not make the right choice, Chinese socialism might be sidetracked.

At this critical moment, Deng Xiaoping - chief architect of China's reform and opening up - made his famous tour of south China, inspecting Wuchang, Shenzhen, Zhuhai and Shanghai between Jan. 18 and Feb. 21, 1992.

During the tour, Deng gave some important talks, collectively known as the "south tour talks," on a series of major theoretical and conceptual questions, providing timely answers to the questions of "what is socialism and how do we build socialism."

The talks represented the formation and maturing of Deng Xiaoping Theory, and inspired the second round of China's reform and opening up. They effectively freed Chinese people's minds, and reaffirmed their faith in socialism. Hailed as a milestone in building Chinese socialism, they boosted China's economic reform and social progress in the 1990s, their influence even extending into the 21st century.