30 years of change

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Over the past three decades, China's annual GDP growth has averaged 9.88 percent, far exceeding the 3.3 percent world average. China is now the world's fourth largest economy, and is rapidly closing in on Germany in third place.

Over the past three decades, China's annual GDP growth has  averaged 9.88 percent, far exceeding the 3.3 percent world  average.

People's lives have also improved dramatically. The per-capita GDP has increased significantly, and the rural population below the poverty line has decreased sharply.

People's minds have also developed. Traditional ways of thinking about consumption, employment, aesthetics and marriage have become more liberal and independent. Improvements have been made to the political framework and the legal system has been upgraded.

But besides all these achievements, there are also lessons to be learned. The environment has suffered and resources have been overused. The gap between the rich and the poor is widening.

In the coming years, China will continue the policy of reform and opening-up and the government will seek solutions to emerging problems that arise in the process of socio-economic development.

Editor:Zhang Ning