Theme 1 China S Reform and Opening-Up

Theme 1 China’s reform and opening-up

A summary of the 30 years of reform and opening-up

Source 1

Source 2

A3 Mainland Daily News 25 September2008
Wen Jiabao: reform and opening-up is the strategy that shapes China’s future
On 24 September New York time, the Chinese Premiere of the State Council Wen Jiabao attended general debate at the the 63rd United Nations General Assembly and made a speech on China’s diplomatic policies and position on significant international issues.
Wen said that China achieved her development through reform and opening-up. This year marks the 30th anniversary of China’s reform and opening-up policies, the policies that fundamentally changed the closed, backward, and ossified situation of China which had existed for years. It is the policies that freed people’s mind and aroused their initiative, liberated the productive forces, generated great economic and social progress, and instilled vigour and vitality into the country. Without these policies, there would not have been such changes in China in the last 30 years. To achieve the goal of modernization and build a strong, prosperous, democratic, civilized and harmonious country, China will stick to the reform and opening-up policies. It is a choice of vital importance to the development of China today. It is also a strategy that will shape China’s future. China is resolute in carrying forward this policy. The Chinese nation has all along cherished the fine tradition and benefited from the wisdom of being open to new ideas and drawing on the strengths of others. The Chinese people have learned from 30 years of reform and opening-up that only continued economic and political restructuring and reform in other fields can lead to sustained economic growth and social progress, and only continued opening-up in an all-round way can lead the country to greater strength and prosperity. This is the conclusion drawn both from practice and exploration and from historical experiences.

(Source: Xinhua Net, 25 September 2008. Downloaded from

(a)According to Source 1, how does the central government make use of socialism with Chinese characteristics to establish a moderately prosperous society?

【Knowledge & Understanding】(3 marks)

(b)According to Source 2, why did Wen Jiabao say that China’s development depends on reform and opening-up? 【Knowledge & Understanding】(5 marks)

(c)With reference to Sources 1 and 2, why is it said that reform and opening-up is the strategy that shapes China’s future? Explain. 【Analysis】(10 marks)

(d)According to your knowledge, what is the relationship between reform and opening-up and Hong Kong’s development? 【Analysis】(8 marks)

(e) With reference to the sources and according to your knowledge, how do the economic benefits brought by reform and opening-up affect China’s diplomatic policies? 【Analysis】(8 marks)