Looking Back 60 Years: Personal Recollections

    This October 1 marks the 60th anniversary of the People's Republic of China. On October 1, 1949, Mao Zedong stood on the Tian'anmen Rostrum, declaring to the world, "The Chinese people have arisen."

    These last six decades have been tumultuous but exhilarating for the nation – the people that broke free from the oppression of imperialism, feudalism and bureaucratic capitalism did so by striding forward with extraordinary courage and wisdom to find suitable development models for their new society. Since the implementation of the reform and opening-up policy in late 1978, China has watched itself emerge in the international community as it transformed from a backward agricultural country in 1949 into the 21st century's third largest economy. The Chinese have finally achieved the dignity and comfort their lives were deprived of in modern times.

    In this issue, we consider the 60 years of personal devotion that many dedicated to the well-being of their nation and countrymen. A few distinguished persons will share with our readers their experiences in diplomacy, economics, law and environmental protection. So this collection of stories spanning the half dozen decades of New China form a narrative of learning, development and change.