China's Reform & Opening Up: Imported goods part of daily life

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China's opening up began long before the current trade tensions with the US. It began in earnest 40 years ago, triggering a flood of imported goods into Chinese homes. For many of the nation’s city-dwellers, products made by foreign hands have been a part of their daily life for decades. Yang Chengxi reports.

Meet this Shanghai family. They've had imported products in their home since the 1980s.

ZHANG BAOLIAN SHANGHAI RESIDENT "The first foreign item I bought was a 12-inch black and white TV from Japan."

That TV cost 400 yuan, an amount that took 10 years to save.

ZHANG BAOLIAN SHANGHAI RESIDENT "These things were few and not easy to purchase. I stood in a line the whole night to get it."

Many in Shanghai started flirting with imported goods through electronics. Back then, China's economic reforms and the nation's manufacturing industry were just in their infancy.

YANG CHENGXI SHANGHAI "While imported goods like home appliances were a big deal for Chinese families back then, they've now become much more accessible and affordable."

Shi Wenchao is Zhang's daughter.

SHI WENCHAO SHANGHAI RESIDENT "Today our fridge, our washing machine and TV are all foreign brands."

ZHANG BAOLIAN SHANGHAI RESIDENT "I got this pager in the early 90s and this big phone in 1993. They cost a lot and these foreign brands were the only ones on the market."

SHI WENCHAO SHANGHAI RESIDENT "I have probably bought seven generations of the iPhone. Foreign phones are now easy to get and they're pretty affordable."

Shi has foreign bags and cosmetics, but those are products she can do without. What she must have in daily life is imported milk powder for her son.

SHI WENCHAO SHANGHAI RESIDENT "Although Chinese products are of a high standard, I want my kid to have the best milk formula. Mine is imported from Switzerland."

As China's e-commerce sector grows, people like her are finding it easier to buy goods from overseas. China now has over 50 million people who use digital platforms to shop for foreign goods.

SHI WENCHAO SHANGHAI RESIDENT "There are so many e-shopping platforms now. I just have to move my fingers and place an order."

As Chinese families grow wealthier, and as products become more accessible, there are few signs of China's marriage to foreign products ending any time soon. YCX, CGTN, SHANGHAI.