During the 7 decades since its founding, the People’s Republic of China has been subjected to severe litmus tests, some of these are unparalleled and unprecedented in magnitude and duration. This is especially true during the first 30 years when China had to grapple with crippling domestic economy plagued by pervasive poverty, as well as to resist the continuous isolation imposed during the Cold War by the Western powers.The 1978 opening up and reform policy, spearheaded by the late Deng Xiaoping, marks a watershed moment in modern China’s progress. 40 years later, the PRC has transformed itself into an economic powerhouse, assuming world leadership in manufacturing, infrastructure and technological innovation. China’s success in alleviating 850 million of its citizenry out of abject poverty is a feat unrivalled in human history. The China story is an inspiration to the world, an ideal model to emulate, as we strive to advance global governance.