The photo taken on Aug. 13, 2004 shows a bronze statue of late Chinese leader Deng Xiaoping in the city of Guang'an, hometown of Deng Xiaoping, in southwest China's Sichuan Province. The statue was unveiled on Friday. (Xinhua Photo)

A bronze statue of China's "chief reform architect" Deng Xiaoping has been placed in the late leader's ancestral home town just before the 100th anniversary of his birth.

Acclaimed as leading China into its opening-up and reform policies from 1978, Deng died in 1997 at the age of 93. His birthday falls on August 22. A farmyard boy, he grew up to be instrumental in setting up China's market economy.

Chinese President Hu Jintao led Deng's family members, central and local officials, and students to the unveiling of the statue, in Paifeng Village, Guang'an City, in the southwestern province of Sichuan.

Hu said Deng's great achievements in China's revolution, construction and reform will be remembered forever. The ideological riches he left for the country will inspire us all to move forward, he said.

It is already seven years since Deng died, but he still commands reverence and is remembered fondly by the Chinese people and the Communist Party of China, Hu said.

Jiang Zemin, chairman of the Central Military Committee, made an inscription for the statue.