‍By CGTN's World Insight

Shenzhen, the first special economic zone in China, has been transformed from a fishing village to a vibrant world metropolis, the result of rapid foreign investment thanks to the policy of "reform and opening up" pursued by the Communist Party of China (CPC).

And Shenzhen is just one example of how China has been seeking solutions to major challenges.

However, as the country develops and the world changes, there are new challenges facing the CPC.

In Shenzhen, CGTN’s World Insight with Tian Wei spoke to several people about their experiences and opinions of China’s policies.

“I think the most important for me is changing the educational system. I think Deng Xiaoping started the reform 40 years ago to admit students through the exam. I was very lucky to get through the examination and went to Peking University. I also appreciate Deng Xiaoping’s opening-up policy. After I finished my education at university, I was able to go abroad, I went to the United States, to continue my education, of course, it totally changed my life,”  said Hai Wen, professor of Economics at the HSBC Business School of Peking University.

But there are also challenges, such as the urban-rural divide, the wealth gap, environmental issues, education and health. 

When talking about the role of the CPC as the ruling Party and how it will guarantee China’s progress, Victor Gao, who served as interpreter for Deng Xiaoping and other Chinese leaders, said, “My point is that we here in China need to maintain political stability at any cost and on that condition, we can have all the freedom to create, to innovate and to try all the different kinds of things to push the edge of envelope to the extreme, so that the nation will keep innovating going forward.”