'Real Time China' Day 10: We made it to Shenzhen!

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Ten days, traveling 4,000 kilometers across China: that's almost twice the distance from New York to Miami.

CGTN was on the road.

Covering seven provinces and municipalities, the CGTN crew headed south in a specially designed "mobile studio" from the capital Beijing via the legendary Shaolin Temple in Henan Province, stopping off at two of China's four major towers – Yellow Crane Tower and Yueyang Tower, located in central China's Hubei and Hunan provinces respectively – before moving on to the old revolutionary base Jinggangshan in Jiangxi Province and the left-behind Jiaowan Village in Nanxiong, Guangdong Province, and finally arriving at the miraculous first Special Economic Zone in Shenzhen.

The CGTN crew pose at the Public Square in Shenzhen, Guangdong Province, the destination of "Real Time China." /CGTN Photo

I was only onboard for the third leg, from Changsha, central China's Hunan Province to Shenzhen, a cutting-edge city often described as China's "Silicon Valley."

On the way I saw changes, incredible changes that have taken place through four decades of reform and opening up.

At 8 p.m. on December 13, Day 9 of our journey, we arrived at the newly-opened Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge, the world's longest sea-crossing. Spanning 55 kilometers, it is more than just a magnificent structure: it is designed both to link the mainland with mega-cities Hong Kong and Macao and also act as a gateway for the world.

This is China's latest engineering marvel, a symbol of progress, an unimaginable feat before reform and opening up began in 1978.

CGTN America reporter Sean Callebs reports in front of the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge. /CGTN Photo

"There is no comparison between now and the days before reform and opening up,” a Zhuhai local resident told us. "Our country has been growing faster and stronger. We are gaining attention and focus around the world and respect as well."

I saw closer international exchanges too, new partnerships between China and the rest of the world.

“There are more and more friends trying to come to China. The Chinese market is huge, very big,” Giulia Ravasi, national sales manager of British Overseas Export Corporation, said.

Harley Seyedin, president of American Chamber of Commerce in South China, argued that the future for foreign companies should be positive.

“We want to develop and produce products that Chinese customers want. To do that, we want our government to get along and solve their differences and we will go forward."

Not just businesses, legions of people from across the world now choose to work or study – and travel – in China. Guangzhou native Eleven told me that every weekend “a lot of foreigners come to Party Pier (famous for night life) to have fun.”

CGTN reporter Li Zhao (R) interacts with Guangzhou native Eleven. /CGTN Photo

Huge changes have taken place in villages too. In Jiaowan Village of Nanxiong, Guangdong Province, farmers have gone digital – just like urban residents.

“Through the Internet, our honey can be sold to neighboring villages and even around China,” local official Zhou Chaojun told me.

Incredible development – big roads, big companies and big technologies – can be seen all over China. Yet what impresses me the most is the legacy that has been preserved, the thousands of years of history and culture.

I was lucky enough to attend a memorial ceremony for Emperor Yan at his mausoleum in Zhuzhou City, central China's Hunan Province on Day 7 of the trip. People paid homage to the legendary emperor from pre-dynastic China, offering ritual sacrifices to show their respect.

Chinese people believe they are the descendants of Emperor Yan and Huang, who fought hard for the good of the people.

The respect culture is still big in China. Be respectful to elders and ancestors and be grateful to those who helped you.

CGTN reporters Xu Xinchen (L) and Li Zhao bow to Confucius, at Shigu Academy. /CGTN Photo

Younger people are expected to defer to older people, let them speak first, sit down after them and not contradict them and are only allowed to eat after the elders have their first bite.

These are values that should be passed down, generation to generation. These are values that help paint the picture of China today, a country that stands tall and has dignity. We pay tribute to our history and embrace the mighty developments ahead.

(Videographer: Qi Jianqiang)