2018 marks the 60th anniversary of Chinese TV dramas. A ceremony was held on Tuesday in Shanghai to celebrate its glamorous history. The industry has grown by leaps and bounds since China's reform and opening up policy was launched 40 years ago. The celebration in Shanghai paid homage to iconic figures in the Chinese TV drama industry.

It's an important event at the ongoing 24th Shanghai TV Festival. Pioneers in the industry attended the ceremony.

A large amount of classic works have been produced in the past four decades. The 1986 edition of "Journey to the West", in 1987 "Dream of the Red Chamber", 1994 "Romance of the Three Kingdoms" and in 1998 "Outlaws of the Marsh", adapted from the Four Great Classical Novels, are just the tip of the iceberg.

The cast and crew of the four dramas shared the same stage for the first time ever. And Liu Xiao Ling Tong, who portrayed the legendary Monkey King recalled memories from his 17 years in the role.

LIU XIAO LING TONG, ACTOR "JOURNEY TO THE WEST"  "Journey to the West is proof of the team's dedication to artistic perfection. It was 30 years ago and we only had one camera. We walked around China's picturesque areas and took 17 years to make 41 episodes. 17 years equals Monk Xuanzang's pilgrimage for the Buddhist scriptures. I always say that we are living in a great time. Because Journey to the West is China's first mythical TV drama, and me and my fellow actors became famous and popular among generations of TV viewers through the work."

China has grown to be the biggest TV drama producing and broadcasting country in the world. Ordinary people and their lives are consistently the central theme of screenplays.

MAO WEINING, DIRECTOR "ORDINARY WORLD" "We don't simply move people's real lives onto TV. We mingle it with our thoughts, personalities and living experiences. We insist on our distinctive artistic taste. In this more and more diversified world, I think China needs realistic works with sober minds. I would like to keep going on this way."

And, it certainly looks like it'll keep going that way, with the Chinese TV drama market showing no signs of slowing down. YR, CGTN.