2. Conference celebrating the 40th anniversary of reform and opening up

A conference marking the 40th anniversary of reform and opening up was held on Dec. 18. It awarded 100 Chinese comrades for their extraordinary performance as well as ten foreigners with the China Reform Friendship Medal.

President Xi Jinping stressed at the conference that the past 40 years eloquently prove that the reform and opening-up is an important way for the Party and the people to stride ahead to catch up with the times, the only path to uphold and develop socialism with Chinese characteristics, a game-changing move in making China what it is today, and a game-changing move for us to achieve China's two centenary goals and its great national rejuvenation. He also pointed out that 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. Every generation must strive for a good score for the sake of future generations.