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Journey through three amazing decades

(China Daily)
Updated: 2008-12-18 07:45

2001

China joins WTO

On November 10, the Fourth Ministerial Conference of the World Trade Organization (WTO) in Doha, Qatar, approves China's entry into the WTO following 15 years of negotiations.

This takes 1.3 billion Chinese people into the global trading system. China enjoys trade liberalization under the multilateral system, as well as unconditional most-favored-nation benefits.

China has since made significant strides and overcome a number of challenges.

2002

A well-off society

In November 2002, the 16th National Congress of the CPC proposes the concept of building a well-off society - materially and socially both - as the goal of China's accelerated growth and bid to steadily lift living standards.

2003

First man in space

On October 15, China successfully launches the Shenzhou V with astronaut Yang Liwei aboard, the first manned spacecraft mission, from Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center. It makes China the third country to launch a human into space after the former Soviet Union and the United States.

2004

Banks go the SOEs' way

In 2004, the State Council decides to reform debt-laden State-owned commercial banks (SOCBs) by allocating $45 billion of the nation's foreign exchange reserves to supplement the capital of two pilot SOCBs-Bank of China and China Construction Bank. The same year, the two pilot banks are transformed into State-controlled joint-stock commercial banks. This is a valuable experience for subsequent banking reform in China and is followed by other SOCBs.

2005

Agricultural tax dropped

The Standing Committee of the 10th National People's Congress approves the draft to abolish agricultural taxes, relegating the thousands of years old levy system to history. In 2008, the CPC Central Committee again announces a decision to allow farmers to lease or transfer land-use rights in a step to boost incomes in the countryside.

KMT chairman's visit

From April 26 to May 3, 2005, Lien Chan, chairman of Taiwan's Kuomintang (KMT), leads a delegation to the mainland. The first time he has been to the mainland since 1949. Relations between the two sides have improved steadily ever since. Direct cross-Straits postal, transport links are launched on Dec 15 this year.

2006

Three Gorges Dam

On May 20, 2006, the 2,309-m long Three Gorges Dam, the world's largest hydroelectric project, is completed.

Train to Tibet

The Qinghai-Tibet railway is put into operation on July 1. Some 1,000 km of the railway tracks sit 4,000m above sea level. The railway connects Tibet with the hinterland and plays an important role in boosting the local economy.

2007

Property law

China's landmark property law, which grants equal protection to both State and private property, is approved by the 10th National People's Congress and takes effect on Oct 1.

2008

Beijing Olympics

On Aug 8, the 29th Olympic Games opens with a spectacular gala show in Beijing. Under the slogan of "One World One Dream", China surprises the world by winning 100 medals and topping the gold medal tally with a haul of 51.

Moving on: in space

At 16:43 on Sept 27, Chinese astronaut Zhai Zhigang floats out of Shenzhou VII, accomplishing China's first extra-vehicular activity in space. The feat makes China the third country to conduct a spacewalk after Russia and the United States.

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