Of all the manifestations of Deng's reforms, the explosion of the stock markets was the most unexpected.
That such a blatantly capitalist tool could be used as part of his wider plans to mobilise capital was an indicator of just how far Deng was prepared to go.
He gave his blessing to China's securities industry by looking the other way.
Deng's original intention was to use a shareholding system to encourage state-owned companies to become financially independent and responsible. But when the Shanghai Stock Exchange re-opened after more than 40 years in December 1990 to a local jazz band's rendition of When the Saints Go Marching In, it was not the saints but the speculators who marched into the bourse.
In Shenzhen and Shanghai, where the nation's two stock markets are located, trading began before the creation of securities laws and before people used to a socialist system knew what to expect.
Rumours continued to cause wild swings in the markets, especially reports about Deng's failing health. Insider trading scandals have been uncovered and press reports say many investors play markets for short-term gains.
But Deng stood by his experimental approach to economic reforms, allowing Chinese securities to become internationally traded.
