The reform and opening up now celebrates its 30 birthdays. During this time, Guangdong has explored new lands of hope, often achieving great glories. Today we are going to talk about Shenzhen, as we could call it a perfect symbol of Guangdong's reform and opening up.

(Over 30 years ago, Shenzhen was just a small fishing village.)

(Over 30 years ago, Shenzhen was just a small fishing village.)

Over thirty years ago, Shenzhen was just a small fishing village, with traditions still strong. Few knew at the time that Shenzhen would be the first city allowed to implement economic and open-up policies, leading the city to become, in less time then it takes a child to become an adult, one of China's major metropolises. All the changes that occurred hear in Shenzhen were ground-breaking. They completely changed people's lives in ways it would have been hard to even imagine before, but they also provided precious experience to the other cities that would soon follow the trend.

Zhang Maoxiang, secretary of Shenzhen Yuezhong Labor Company remembers well the first days in Shenzhen:

"There was no water and no electricity. We lived in bamboo sheds and slept on iron window frames. But none of us shrunk back. We strongly held to the idea that with enthusiasm, we could make a new Shenzhen."

28 years ago, Shenzhen underwent a great revolution, and this revolution started with a new title that led to the success of the city but also brought with it its share of controversies - special economic zone. Mo Xiaopei, Director of Reform and Opening Up Research Department of Shenzhen Museum:

"The policy of establishing a special economic zone aimed to make Shenzhen a window to the world. And the experience Shenzhen gained was shared with other cities all over China."

(A modern Shenzhen nowadays shows the effort of the reform and opening up.)

Le Zheng, President of the Shenzhen Academy of Social Sciences sums-up the contributions Shenzhen made to China in four points:

Firstly, China successfully found a way to establish what would be called a "socialist market economic system"; secondly, China attained remarkable achievements in economic and social development; thirdly, Shenzhen helped to promote China's urban image, and also help build the character of the modern Chinese citizens; finally, Shenzhen successfully nurtured a number of well-known companies.

Le Zheng sees the special economic zone policies and Shenzhen's distinctive spirit itself that made the city such a splendid success.