The continued growth in China is related to its relentless pursuit of economic reform. As a result, it has unleashed productive forces that were previously suppressed by rigid central planning. Deng Xiaoping realized that china needed the influence of western technology and investment. He opened the door to foreign businesses by authorizing four economic zones in southern China with tax incentives to attract foreign businesses. In addition to domestic agricultural reforms, the economy of China took off and has since recorded one of the fastest periods of economic growth in world history.