On the morning of December 18, 2018, at 10:00 a.m., the grand celebration of the 40th anniversary of reform and opening-up was held at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing. The School of Statistics and Management organized all faculty and staff to watch the live broadcast of the celebration of the 40th anniversary of reform and opening-up. Before the meeting began, the national anthem was played, and all teachers in our college stood up to pay tribute to the reform and opening-up.
At the beginning of the meeting, Wang Huning read the "Decision of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China and the State Council on Commending Individuals with Outstanding Contributions to Reform and Opening Up." The teachers at the academy listened attentively and got to know the pioneers of reform.
At the meeting, General Secretary of the CPC Central Committee, President of the State, and Chairman of the Central Military Commission Xi Jinping delivered an important speech. Chairman Xi reviewed the glorious journey of 40 years of reform and opening-up, summarized the great achievements and valuable experiences of reform and opening-up, and mobilized the entire Party and people of all ethnic groups across the country to continue pushing reform and opening-up forward in the new era, striving relentlessly to achieve the "two centenary" goals and the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation, the Chinese Dream.
For 40 years, through the nurturing of spring wind and rain, and the fruition of spring flowers and autumn fruits, reform and opening up have greatly changed the appearance of China, the Chinese nation, the Chinese people, and the Communist Party of China.
After the conference live stream ended, our school's teachers expressed their study reflections. The representatives are as follows:
Professor Xu Guoxiang: Today is December 18, 2018, which is a very important day. Forty years ago, on December 18, 1978, the Third Plenary Session of the 11th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China was held, marking the beginning of China's reform and opening up. Fortunately, I had just turned 18 that year and, as a fresh high school graduate, I was admitted to the undergraduate program in Statistics at Shanghai University of Finance and Economics through the college entrance examination, truly enjoying the fruits of the reform and opening up. Over the past forty years, I have personally experienced and witnessed the great achievements of reform and opening up, with China's economy growing at an average annual rate of over 9% for 40 years, rising from a poor country to become the world's second-largest economy. The hunger and clothing issues faced by one-quarter of the world's population have been resolved, and the people's sense of gain, happiness, and security has been continuously improving. I have deeply recognized the great strength of the Communist Party of China, the Chinese people, and socialism with Chinese characteristics, and I firmly believe that in the next forty years, under the leadership of the Communist Party of China, China will adhere to deepening reform, liberating thoughts, and opening up to meet one challenge after another, achieving the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation!
Professor Zhang Mingfang: This year marks the 40th anniversary of reform and opening up. In 1978, the Third Plenary Session of the 11th Central Committee of the Communist Party convened, leading China into a brand new era. Looking back over the past forty years, the magnificent process of reform and opening up has brought about tremendous changes in our country, and it has also allowed me—a sent-down youth—to be fortunate enough to gain admission to Shanghai University of Finance and Economics for further studies and personal growth. Since entering the school in 1979, I have witnessed the school continuously reform and open up—from the resumption of its school, upgrading to a university, joining the 211 Project, advancing to the 985 Project, to becoming a Double First Class university. In this broader context of reform and opening up, the school has received social acclaim for its talent cultivation, and its disciplines have flourished and developed. Over the past forty years, I have completed my undergraduate studies, a master's degree, and obtained a doctoral degree at Shanghai University of Finance and Economics, and have taught for 35 years as a faculty member. I am not only a witness to the school’s reform and opening up but also a practitioner and beneficiary. The history of forty years of reform and opening up tells us: on the road ahead, we must adhere to reform and opening up, strive forward to realize the Chinese Dream and the SUE Dream, in order to elevate Shanghai University of Finance and Economics to new heights!
Secretary Xue Liang: Forty years ago today, the Third Plenary Session of the Eleventh Central Committee of the Party opened a new chapter in China's reform and opening up, marking the beginning of a great turning point for the Chinese nation. The Chinese people have taken new steps on the journey to becoming prosperous and strong. Each of us is a practitioner of, and a beneficiary from, the reform and opening up. In the face of the current complex international and domestic situation, in order to continue the reform and opening up to the end, I hope every Chinese person can take the exemplary figures who have been recognized as role models and be daring to act and try, striving for innovative practices, to contribute their utmost strength to the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation. "Forty is the age of no confusion," and I hope our Party will eliminate all distractions, continue to uphold the banner of reform and opening up, adhere to the "Four Consciousnesses," and lead the people to write new chapters in the construction of socialism with Chinese characteristics.
Bai Yang (Permanent Track Teacher): In Chairman Xi's speech, he mentioned what should be changed regarding future reforms and opening up? How to change? He distinguished what should be changed and what should not be changed, emphasizing that what should be changed must be changed, and what should not be changed will certainly not be changed. At the same time, he proposed that the standard for change and non-change is based on the will of the people—whether it is beneficial for the happiness of the people and the strengthening of the nation serves as the fundamental standard for reform and opening up.
Zhuang Mei (Counselor): At 10 a.m. today, following the host's announcements, we appreciated the outstanding individuals recognized for their contributions to reform and opening up over the past forty years. We also listened to General Secretary Xi's important speech, reflecting on the journey of these forty years while looking forward to the future. We are witnesses to reform and opening up, and we will also be the builders of the future, taking up the baton from our predecessors to strive for a better future!
Hu Songping (Administrative Management): Great awakening, great revolution. I am very fortunate to enjoy the fruits of victory brought by reform and opening-up. However, reform is only in progress, never completed. We must create new history; only by continuing reform and opening-up, and by continuing to strive diligently! For the dreams we fight for, the accumulation of every little bit of effort, we applaud the pioneers and sing praises for our motherland; we continue on our journey.
At the same time, our college is also actively organizing students to watch the live broadcast of the celebration of the 40th anniversary of the reform and opening up in various ways.
