Chinese President Xi Jinping, who is also General Secretary of the Communist Party of China, has delivered a speech at the conference commemorating the 40th anniversary of reform and opening-up. He reviewed the remarkable progress China has made in the past 40 years and praised the hard work of everyday Chinese people. Our reporter Zou Yun has more to tell.

"Poverty is not socialism, we must keep abreast of the times". At the start of Xi Jinping's speech, he recalled Comrade Deng Xiaoping's guide for the reform and opening-up policy begun four decades ago. After the Third Plenary Session of the 11th CPC Central Committee, China has made the decisions to shift the focus onto economic development. A historic moment and massive changes have happened since.

XI JINPING CHINESE PRESIDENT "After the Party's 16th National Congress, Chinese Communists made the overall plan for building socialism with Chinese characteristics centered around ensuring and improving people's wellbeing, promoting social fairness and justice. Since the 18th Party Congress, we have introduced more than 1600 reform initiatives, cracked many hard nuts, and navigated through dangerous currents."

President Xi summarized the progress and achievements made during the four decades. He pointed out that China has remained committed to environmental protection and to the great cause of peaceful reunification of the motherland. Xi Jinping said that in the past four decades, continued efforts have been made to strengthen and improve Party leadership.

XI JINPING CHINESE PRESIDENT "No tolerance has been shown in the crackdown on corruption. The anti-corruption campaign has delivered a crushing victory. The revolutionary tempering has made our Party the backbone of the Chinese people and Chinese nation, always at the forefront of the times."

Forty years of experience has become the guide for the future. Xi Jinping called for enriching and growing such assets through further reform and opening-up. He adds that a new form of international relations featuring win-win cooperation should be continued.

XI JINPING CHINESE PRESIDENT "China will never pursue development at the cost of others' interests, nor will China ever give up its own legitimate rights and interests. China pursues a national defense policy that is defensive in nature, and China's development poses no threat to any other country."

Xi Jiping said that China is now at a point similar to sailing to the midstream of a river -- as the going gets tough, we must press ahead and there is no turning back.

XI JINPING CHINESE PRESIDENT "Turning China into a great modern socialist country and achieving national rejuvenation is like a relay race, in which the baton is passed down from generation to generation."

Meanwhile, one hundred people have been given the title of "Pioneer of Reform" for outstanding contributions to their lines of work. Also, ten foreigners from important fields have received friendship awards for their contributions to China's reform.

ZOU YUN BEIJING "China's reform and opening up in the past 4 decades has left an incredible chapter in history. Moreover, the country's commitment to further open up, as well as the new policies and guidelines being mapped-out, will enable the country to make new achievements, and also make new contributions to the world in the years ahead. Zou Yun, CGTN, reporting from the Great Hall of People, Beijing."