To celebrate the 70th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China (PRC) and present a panoramic view of the country's great journey, the 24-episode documentary "On The Road" focuses on the great achievements and valuable experiences of people of all ethnic groups in the socialist revolution, construction and reform over the past 70 years. It also recounts touching stories and important events in the country since 1949.

The 10th episode talks about how, despite domestic and international challenges, China weathered the storms in the early days of reform and continued along the path of socialism with Chinese characteristics.

Every step along the way of China's reform was accompanied by pain.

In 1988, inflation fueled by an overheated economy provoked a nationwide rush to stockpile goods. It was just one of the many problems confronting the reform. As China struggled to destroy the old system, conflicts began to mount.

At the time, great changes were also taking place on the international stage. In the late 1980s and early 1990s, Western countries began to interfere in China's domestic politics and imposed sanctions. Eastern Europe was in turmoil, the Soviet Union collapsed, and socialist China faced greater challenges than ever before.

Hostile elements at home and abroad were trying to use the people's discontent with rising prices and corruption to stir up conflict.

In June 1989, the 13th CPC Central Committee held its fourth plenary session. The meeting reaffirmed that China would follow the path laid down by the Third Plenary Session of the CPC's 11th Central Committee and adhere to the strategies and policies it had adopted. It would maintain the fundamental values of focusing on economic development, continuing to deepen reform and opening-up.

The determination to reform was greater than ever. In 1992, China's reform and opening-up reached a new starting point.

"If China chooses to give up on socialism, reform and opening-up, economic development and improving people's livelihoods, then it has chosen certain death. We cannot waver," said Deng Xiaoping during his trip to southern China. "If we want to grow, it's now or never."

In October 1992, during the 14th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, President Jiang Zemin called China's path a "socialist market economy system." Deng's theory of "establishing socialism with Chinese characteristics" was formally adopted as the basic principle in all Party initiatives.