Over the last four decades, more than 800 million people escaped poverty. China’s share in the world economy rose from 1.5 percent in 1978 to 15 percent today, and per capita income increased 25-fold from 300 dollars in 1978 to 7,300 dollars in 2017. China is now within striking distance of eliminating extreme poverty, and the 40th anniversary is a good time to reflect on the country’s reforms, opening up, and record poverty reduction.