The ancients said: "Thirty years is one generation; predestined kings only succeed after thirty years through a benevolent reign." It is right to expound the glorious course of China’s 30 years of reforms and opening-up. We believe that the best way to comprehend a period of history is to provide a record of the lives of various people in this period. To keep these memories alive, on the occasion of the thirtieth anniversary of the reforms and opening-up, we have compiled and published this book which truly and visually reflects the transformation of China’ s society over the past 30 years.
It is said that the profound changes to Chinese society resulting from China’s economic development during the past 30 years have exceeded those throughout the previous several thousand years. This remark is very interesting. Maybe it is improper to oversimplify the differences between periods of history, but the experiences acquired and accomplishments made in our successful transformation from the socialist planned economic system to the market economic system are evidently unparalleled. In fact, it is a constituent part of history. So long as we continue to be blessed with a broad vision, an open mindset and the entrepreneurial sprit of the past 30 years, China will amaze the world by creating even more miracles during the next 30 years. Despite hardships, we will remain true to our beliefs.
Yuan Geng
At the Starting Point of the Reform
Cui Jian
The Idol of One Generation
Wang Jiacong
A Teacher’s 30 Years
Guan Geng
A Veteran Construction Engineer Who Helps Change Beijing
Jiang Ping
Shouting out for Rights
Zhang Yiqing
"Old Shanghainese" Gets Lost in Pudong
Li Huanying
"Crazy" about Lepers for the Rest of Her Life
Kong Xiaoning
A Globetrotting Chinese Journalist
Kang Houming
From a "Migrant Worker" to an NPC Deputy
Sonata Tenzin Qopei
Introducing Tibetan Culture to the Interior
Liang Congjie
I Have Seen a Green China
Li Ling
Once a Doctor, Always a Doctor
Wang Zhenghua
Dancing at the Intersection of Tourism and Aviation
Sha Zhiming
A Life Devoted to the Teapot
Ma Shengli
From Successful Contracts to a Placid Life
Tan Dun
Freely Travelling Between Eastern and Western Music
Wang Jianwen
A Bus Rider’s Six Moods over a 30-year Period
Wu Renbao
Finding a Village’s Path to Wealth
Wang Shuguang
Witnessing the Changes in Zhengzhou
Tan Chuanhua
Creating a Brand Name "Single-Handedly"
Xie Changjin
"Life is Changing and Weddings are Changing"
Yang Lan
Resuming Her Old Career as a Presenter
Wang Shengying
Teaching -- The Long March of a Disabled Teacher
Zhang Yimou
Since 1978
Zhou Yucun
Reborn after the Earthquake
Zhang Guoxi
Turn Wood into Gold
Jia Guohua
Living Beside a Venue of the Olympic Games
Li Ning
From a Champion to a Billionaire
Liu Yonghan
Perseverance Has Brought What I Have Today
Xu Yulin
From Metropolis to Border Town
Postscript