Full Video: China marks 30 years of reform and opening-up

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President Hu Jintao said, "From 1978 to 2007, China's total volume of imports and exports increased from a little over 20 billion US dollars to more than two trillion US dollars, propelling it to third in the world in terms of total import-export volumes. China has also become the world's biggest country in foreign exchange reserves. Investment has grown substantially, with the actual use of foreign investment nearing one trillion US dollars. The wide and deep cooperation with other countries has sped up China's economic development, while China has contributed to the growth of the world economy."

President Hu added that China has posted an annual growth rate of 9.8 percent, more than three times the world average. And China has become the world's fourth largest economy. Over the past thirty years, Chinese living standards have greatly improved. Urban incomes have increased over six times to more than 13-thousand yuan per capita, or more than two thousand US dollars. And farmers are also earning six times more than thirty years ago. China has also greatly reduced the population of extreme poverty in rural areas, from 250-million to 1.4 million.

President Hu Jintao said, "The achievements of the past 30 years tell us that the reform and opening-up was a crucial choice determining the fate of China. It's also an essential path to developing Socialism with Chinese characteristics and rejuvenating the Chinese nation. Only socialism can rescue China and only the reform and opening-up can develop China. The reform and opening-up falls in line with China's trend. Its direction is completely correct. And its achievements are undeniable."