Abstract: Xi Zhongxun’s thought of reform and opening-up during his administration of Guangdong is the precious wealth for the development of China’s reform and opening-up. Its generation is derived from the profound essence of Marxist theory, based on many practical problems in Guangdong’s development and refined from abundant practice accumulations of revolution and construction. The core contents of the thought include demanding power boldly, leading the reform and opening-up in Guangdong one step ahead, having the courage to think and act, creating special economic zones, encouraging a comprehensive development of agriculture, forestry, animal husbandry, sideline and fishery according to the local conditions, setting up models firmly and expanding the autonomy of state-owned enterprises, etc.. These thoughts and practices have not only promoted the development of Guangdong and led the historical journey of China’s reform and opening-up at that time, but also have important practical significance in going on to push and deepen the reform and opening-up in the new era.

Key words: Xi Zhongxun; thought of reform and opening-up; germinal logic; core principles; contemporary implication