The file photo shows the front page of China Daily in June 2, 1981. (PHOTO / CHINA DAILY)

June 2, 1981

China keeps her open-door policy

China's policy of opening up to the world is not one of expediency, but a basic policy. It will not change. The nation will continue to encourage and absorb foreign investment, and its exports will see a considerable expansion.

In order to carry on its socialist modernization program successfully, it is essential for China to broaden exchanges and cooperation with other countries. History shows that no country can have any chance of getting modernized, if it insists on closing its doors to the rest of the world.

Internationally, there are at present many favorable factors and China should not let opportunities go by.

The file photo shows the front page of China Daily in March 7, 1987. (PHOTO / CHINA DAILY)

March 7, 1987

Moves aim to attract foreign investment

China is launching a four-pronged effort to improve the investment environment for overseas businesses in the country, the Ministry of Foreign Economic Relations and Trade said in Beijing yesterday.

The move reflects the State's determination to expand greatly the utilization of foreign funds.

The effort will include the improvement of legislation, close guidance of investment direction, the holding of more international investment seminars and new measures to facilitate the operation of foreign-funded enterprises.

More legislative measures will soon be worked out as supplements to the "22 Articles" and eight detailed regulations issued earlier.

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The file photo shows the front page of China Daily in July 2, 1997. (PHOTO / CHINA DAILY)

July 2, 1997

Joyous Hong Kong heralds return home

Flowers and fireworks, songs and dances, hearty cheers and broad smiles were how a joyous Hong Kong celebrated its first day back home after a sleepless night of carnival.

The gala reached a peak yesterday when top State and local leaders joined performers to stage a grand celebration of the establishment of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.

Also yesterday, 80,000 people from all walks of life in the Chinese capital gathered at the Beijing Workers' Stadium to celebrate Hong Kong's return to the motherland. The evening party began with Ode to the Motherland, sung by 10,000 people to the accompaniment of music played by 1,000 instrumentalists.

The file photo shows the front page of China Daily in Nov 12 , 2001. (PHOTO / CHINA DAILY)

November 12, 2001

WTO membership protocol inked

The World Trade Organization (WTO) finally opened its door on Saturday to China, integrating the most populous nation on the planet into the open world market and sending a positive signal to a slumping global economy on the brink of a full-blown recession.

It took only minutes for WTO trade ministers to deliberate and then, on a basis of consensus, rubberstamp a draft report of the China Working Party with an applause on Saturday evening.

With that, an arduous 15-year quest for China's entry was completed. The vote was a formality, with China attaining the requisite contracts and treaties with each of the trading partners necessary for admittance.

The file photo shows the front page of China Daily in Aug 8 , 2008. (PHOTO / CHINA DAILY)

August 8, 2008

WELCOME, WORLD

There were cheers, and there was applause. The Olympic torch climbed the Great Wall yesterday, the last day of China's seven-year wait. The red Chinese national flag, with the five yellow stars, flattered everywhere, welcoming one and all to the Olympic Games.

Beijing was awash in colors, giving it the look of a grand carnival on the evening of the Games' opening ceremony. But this, as many people said, was a once-in-a-lifetime festival. The sights and sounds were varied, carnival-like the same, with restaurants and cabbies doing brisk business.

The capital airport saw its busiest day yesterday, handling more than 300 Olympic-related flights that carried VIP guests, athletes and sports officials.

The file photo shows the front page of China Daily in Sept 8, 2013. (PHOTO / CHINA DAILY)

September 8, 2013

Xi proposes a 'new Silk Road'

President Xi Jinping proposed yesterday that China and Central Asian countries build an "economic belt along the Silk Road", a trans-Eurasian project spanning from the Pacific Ocean to the Baltic Sea.

Xi made the official suggestion for the first time during a speech on China's Central Asia strategy at Nazarbayev University in Astana, Kazakhstan.

The proposed economic belt is inhabited by "close to 3 billion people and represents the biggest market in the world with unparalleled potential", Xi said.

To create the new economic belt, Xi suggested China and Central Asian countries accelerate policy communication, improve road connectivity, enhance monetary circulation and enhance understanding.

The file photo shows the front page of China Daily in Oct 19, 2017. (PHOTO / CHINA DAILY)

October 19, 2017

STRIDING INTO 'NEW ERA'

General Secretary Xi Jinping pledged yesterday to usher in a new era in building socialism with Chinese characteristics.

Speaking at the opening session of the Communist Party of China's 19th National Congress, Xi laid out his vision for an increasingly prosperous China as the country embarks on a journey to build a "great modern socialist country".

"This is a new historic juncture in China's development," said Xi, general secretary of the CPC Central Committee. It will be an era that sees China moving closer to center stage and making greater contributions to mankind, he added.

During the session, Xi unveiled "Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era", which analysts said is the most important improvement on the original theory raised over three decades ago.

The file photo shows the front page of China Daily in Aug 5, 2020. (PHOTO / CHINA DAILY)

August 5, 2020

Experts say China key to global recovery

The world's second-largest economy recorded 3.2 percent growth in the second quarter, according to the National Bureau of Statistics, and has the potential to lead the global economy out of recession in the months ahead.

President Xi Jinping made clear in a letter to global CEOs published on July 16 that the fundamentals of China's long-term economic growth had not changed despite the pandemic.

He said the country remained committed to deepening reform and further opening up its economy to provide a better environment for investment and one in which Chinese and foreign enterprises can thrive.

READ MORE: Full text: Xi Jinping's congratulatory letter on the 40th anniversary of China Daily's launch

The commitment makes China an attractive place for investment as the world recovers from the pandemic, and the strength of China's economy offers a pathway to global recovery.