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30 years of reform and opening up in my eyes

By winnie0306
Updated: 2009-09-11 16:16

30 years have elapsed after 18 farmers in Xiaogang village signed a secret agreement to divide community owned farmland into individual pieces, which triggered off reforms in China and became the declaration of hundreds of millions of people to change their lives. 30 years have elapsed after the Communist Party of China (CPC) made a decision to launch a nation-wide reform and opening up campaign at the 3rd Plenary Session of the 11th CPC Central Committee.

The year of 1978 is unforgettable. The year of 1978 is stirring. In the year of 1978 China opens her door. In the year of 1978 China reaches her hands to the outside world. In the year of 1978 China steps into a brand-new development epoch.

This year (2008) is the 30th anniversary of China's reform and opening up. During the thirty years, China has made tremendous progress and brilliant achievements in the economic, political, cultural, social and other aspects of the country.

Rapid and sustainable economic development is the most remarkable achievement in the new period of reform and opening up. In 1978, China's total GDP was only 364.52 billion yuan, and the GDP per capita was 381 yuan; in 2007, China's total GDP amounted to 24.66 trillion yuan, 67.7 times that of 1978, with an average annual growth of nearly 10%, much higher than the same period of the world's average of around 3% growth rate. At present, China has become the fourth largest economy in the world.

While boosting the economy, China has tried to maintain a balanced development, including social security, health and education. During the past three decades, China has made nine-year compulsory education free throughout the country. It has launched a new type of cooperative medical care system, mainly financed by the government, for the country's 800 million farmers. China has also set up a system of village and community self-governance for rural and urban residents. It has also introduced in government transparency, democratic oversight and direct elections at the community level.The growing industrial strength and a booming economy paved way for the rapid development in space, science and technology. China launched the first manned spacecraft in 2003 and the second with two astronauts in 2005. And the whole nation is jubilant when Zhai Zhigang, the first taikonaut, waved a Chinese flag in a maiden spacewalk on Sept 27.

In the past three decades, China's comprehensive national strength has continuously increased, its international status has greatly improved and the role and influence on the international society has gradually deepened. Hong Kong and Macao returned to the motherland on July 1, 1997 and October 22, 1999 respectively. On August 8, Beijing hosted its first Olympic Games, attracting thousands of athletes around the world, which turns out to be the greatest event ever in the Olympic history. China has more say in the world affairs today. In the face of the global financial tsunami, China calls on the joint efforts of the global community and tries to make its contribution by maintaining its own economic growth.

As a Chinese being born in 1975, I had the opportunity to witness the great reform and opening up practice which brought about the tremendous changes. In my childhood, there was scarce of vegetables, meat and fruits. We used to store several hundred kilograms of cabbage and potatoes, which were the staple of our diet in winter. My father tightened his belt to buy us some apples or oranges when they were called luxuries at that time. They tasted sweet, the flavor I have never felt for long. I had no toys to play with me and my only story book was bought to comfort me for I was badly ill in hospital. I could clearly remember the book entitled Laoshan Taoist. It was so attractive that I couldn't bear to put it down. Spring festival was once a dream of every child, for only on the occasion we could enjoy the delicious dumplings, wear a newly-bought dress and have extra money to spend.

Nowadays, we can find variety of vegetables, fruits and meat in every season. We begin to pay attention to the nutrition rather than the diet itself. Meat is not as popular as before while the organic vegetables appeal to us more. Our 14-inch black and white TV has been replaced by a 34-inch liquid crystal color one. With many channels for option, we can easily find our favorite programs. Refrigerators and washing machine have been updated with more functions. Buses, subways, cars, trains and planes have become our first choices instead of bicycles. And the most important and the fundamental change is that computers and internet have come into our lives. We surf the internet to learn about the information, shop online and do some office work. Only a click away over the network can we get what we want. And my 3-year-old daughter, who enjoys the benefits of the reform, lives a much better life. Snacks, McDonald's, KFC and story books I never dreamed of at her age are available to her.

All the changes tell us that it is the Third Plenary Session of the 11th Central Committee that brought the spring breeze of reform and unlocked the gate.The idea of “no matter a cat is white or black it must be a good cat if it seizes rat” freed the minds of the Chinese people. The policy of “encourage some people to become rich first” lent wing to the economy. China has undergone great and profound changes and has taken great strides among the nations of the world.

At the New Year's Day gathering held by the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) in Beijing, Hu Jintao, general secretary of CPC Central Committee, said that the year of 2008 marks the 30th anniversary of China's reform and opening up that has historical significance for both the Party and the country.

Changes over the past three decades have undoubtedly proved that the decision of reform and opening up is vital to the course of development of contemporary China, and that reform and opening up are the only way to develop socialism with Chinese characteristics and to rejuvenate our nation. Achievements in the past 30 years would not have been possible without reform and opening up and therefore China must remain committed to this policy to create a brighter future.