China will develop special economic zones (SEZs) throughout its reform, opening up and modernization, President Jiang Zemin said Tuesday in Shenzhen, China's first SEZ.

"The development of SEZs is an important part of building socialism with Chinese characteristics," Jiang said at a grand gathering to mark the 20th anniversary of the Shenzhen SEZ, which borders Hong Kong.

The Shenzhen SEZ was originally proposed by the late Chinese leader Deng Xiaoping to boost the country's reform, opening up and modernization. It has played an important role in the country's reform and construction process ever since.

Statistics indicate that over the past two decades, Shenzhen's GDP has grown at an annual rate of 31.2 percent. Last year, its gross domestic product exceeded 143.65 billion yuan (US$17 billion), with export hitting US$28.2 billion.

The successful development of Shenzhen and other SEZs embodies China's achievements since the reform and opening up policy was introduced in late 1970s. It also serves as strong evidence of the advantages of the socialist system, Jiang said.

At the turn of the new century, China faces both opportunities and challenges in its modernization drive, Jiang said, calling on all Chinese people to seize the opportunities in the march towards the country's third strategic goal for modernization.

Jiang also urged the SEZs to sum up their experiences, solve existing problems and speed up development, acting as a role model for other parts of the country and trailblazers in realizing modernization.

The gathering of 4,000 people included Tung Chee-hwa, chief executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, and Edmund Ho Hau-wah, chief executive of the Macao Special Administrative Region.

At another ceremony in downtown Shenzhen Tuesday, Jiang unveiled a statue of Deng Xiaoping, the chief architect of China's reform and opening up.

(China Daily 11/15/2000)