"The Path to Prosperity," an in-depth eight-episode political documentary about China's 40-year reform and opening-up, aired Tuesday on China Central Television (CCTV) during prime time.

The documentary notes that the reform and opening up has been a path China has taken to uphold and develop socialism with Chinese characteristics, a concept that is built on long-term efforts made by the Communist Party of China (CPC) and untold trials and tribulations made by the Chinese people toward success under the leadership of the CPC.

The documentary explicitly reveals that the reform and opening up has been a key to achieving the country's two centenary goals and realizing the Chinese Dream of national rejuvenation.

Decayed and bullied by foreign powers – this has been modern China since 1840. When the nation is in danger, where will China go? The Taiping Heavenly Kingdom Movement, the Westernization Movement, the Reform Movement of 1898, the Boxer Rebellion, the Revolution of 1911 – the Chinese explored in the darkness, leaping again and again, falling again and again.

The first episode, "The Covenant of History," focuses on how China explored the great path under the leadership of the CPC.

The documentary was co-produced by eight organizations, including the Publicity Department of the CPC Central Committee, the Central Leading Group for Deepening Overall Reform, the Party History and Archives Research Center for the CPC Central Committee, the National Development and Reform Commission, the National Radio and Television Administration, the Xinhua Agency, the China Media Group and the Political Work Department of China Central Military Commission.

(With input from Xinhua News Agency)