Progress in the People’s Republic

This October 1 marks the 65th anniversary of the founding of the Peoples Republic of China （PRC）. Over the past 65 years， China has been on a path toward strength and prosperity from instability and poverty. Tremendous changes have happened in Chinas society， economy， standards of living and international status.

Over the past 60-plus years， China has won economic and political independence， and is continually developing into a modern country with a flourishing economy and a democratic political system. Increasingly， it is becoming an active participant in international relations， moving to the center of the world stage from its former role at the margins. Meanwhile， China has also made progress toward peaceful reunification， as evidenced by its resumption of the exercise of sovereignty over Hong Kong and Macao.

In particular， since its adoption of a reform and opening-up policy in late 1978， China has entered into a period of rapid development， with its comprehensive strength marching forward in major strides. Robust growth has turned China into the second largest economy in the world， laying a solid foundation for the countrys efforts to deepen its reforms. Additionally， the establishment of a market economy system has allowed reforms to be carried out at higher levels. Having coped with various challenges， the ruling Communist Party of China （CPC） has accumulated valuable experience to guide these new reforms.

This year is regarded as the first in which Chinas deepened reforms will make even further progress in the nations growth. At the Third Plenary Session of the 18th CPC Central Committee held in November 2013， the road map for an overall deepening of the countrys reforms was put in place. In March， Premier Li Keqiang noted in his government work report that reforms would be the priority for 2014， with the goal of building China into a prosperous， strong， culturally advanced and harmonious country. This anniversary of the founding of the PRC has become a new historical starting point for the great renewal of the Chinese nation.

However， there is still great potential to be tapped for further development—in moving forward from a big economy to a competitive economy， from “made in China” to “innovated in China，” and from the relatively well-off standard of living to a much more prosperous and enjoyable life. The economic transformation in this big country of 1.3 billion people is creating infinite opportunities.

China has entered the key last half of its 100-year modernization efforts. The current leadership headed by President Xi Jinping will carry on the efforts and continue the achievements made in the first half， toward realizing a “Chinese dream” that features national prosperity， renewal and improved livelihoods.