This year marks the 30th anniversary of China's reform and opening up policy.

    As one of China's fist special economic zones, Shenzhen has experienced dramatic changes during the past thirty years.

    Walking down the street, it's hard to imagine what it was like three decades ago.

    "We are now standing in the center of Dongmen Old Street. The photo shows the site of China Post Shenzhen Council. We can't find it now. "

    "This photo shows what Dongmen Old Street looked like before its reconstruction. It was taken in 1994. This is the centre of the street. It is here right in front of us."

    Nearly thirty years ago, Shenzhen was a fishing village with a population of just thirty thousand.

    In 1979, former Chinese leader Deng Xiaoping hand picked Shenzhen to be one of China's first Special Economic Zones.

    Since then, Shenzhen has become a mecca for young people all over China. Armed with ambition and dreams, they head for China's second-busiest port city after Shanghai to seek their fortunes.

    Thanks to of infrastructure project soldiers'  contribution since 1982, Shenzhen has new roads and skyscrapers as we can see today.

    Liu Tingfang, a senior photographer at Shenzhen Special Zone Daily, recorded the city's development with his camera.

    "This is Shennan Road in 1982, and this is what it looks like today. We can still see the government building here. This is the railway station thirty years ago, and this is the new look of the station. Shenzhen has really changed a lot."

    Transportation is the life-line of any city, and Shenzhen's fast, convenient subway line contributed to the speed of the city's development. Since 1999, Shenzhen has built two subway lines that stretch nearly 22 kilometers, leading to every corner of the city.

    Started from 1999, Shenzhen has built subway line 1 and line 4 with a total length of nearly 22 kilometers.

    It leads from the heart to every corner of the city.

    However, when we enjoy the convenience of modern transportation today, we can't forget the constructors.

    "This set of photos was taken in a subway tunnel when Line 1 was being built. The scene is very fresh in my memory. It was an extremely hot summer day and the subway constructors are working very hard in just their underwear. I was touched by the scene and recorded it. When we look at these photos today, we should show our respect to those who have made such great contributions to Shenzhen's rapid development."

    As the frontier of China's economic development, Shenzhen has witnessed many "firsts."

    In December 1987, China's first land auction was held in Shenzhen.

    Liu Tingfang remembers the exciting moment when the winner got the land for 5250,000 yuan.

    Another important milestone was the establishment of China's first stock market, which was followed by a crazy stock-buying boom.

    "People hugged each other tightly to avoid other people jumping the queue. People can buy and sell stock at the market without regulation."

    During the past thirty years, China's stock market has developed from disorderly to organized and from paper trading to electronic deals.

    The development in Shenzhen proved the success of China's reform and opening up policy.

    Although Shenzhen people have a great many achievements of which they can be proud, they are not satisfied. They keep working hard to build an even brighter future for themselves and their children.

    In September 6th, 2010, crowds cheered at a spectacular fireworks display last night at the southern square of the Civic Center that celebrated the 30th anniversary of the Shenzhen Special Economic Zone and heralded a new beginning.

A laser show before the fireworks display in Futian District

    The celebrations featured a dazzling five-minute laser show before the fireworks and the 30-minute, four-part, colorful fireworks display accompanied by theme music that combined to reflect the city's hard work and enterprising spirit over the past 30 years as well as a wish for a bright future.

The celebrations begins with a bang

    An estimated 1 million people watched the show from different vantage points around the firing zone, many of them applauding and waving light sticks.

    "I'm so excited to see such a grand view, which makes me proud to be a Shenzhen citizen. The city will definitely create another miracle in future development with the help of its industrious and innovative people, who have made great contributions to the city's amazing economic achievements in the past 30 years," said Zhang Xiaoze, a 36-year-old sales manager who came to work in Shenzhen 10 years ago.

Camera entusiasts record the anniversary celeration yesterday at the Civic Center square in Futian District

    Zhang rushed to Lianhua Hill Park almost two hours before the show to find a good place to watch.

    For Jason Taylor, 29, an American tourist, the fireworks show was a surprising gift on his visit to Shenzhen.

    "Yesterday, I went to an exhibition on Deng Xiaoping, who's recognized as the architect of China's reform and opening up. I learned a lot about the city's history, which is really unbelievable," Taylor said.

    Besides the fireworks display, the city government will hold the first choral festival at the end of this month and unveil 30 outstanding songs in the city's 30-year history.

    A "Shenzhen Cultural Week" is scheduled to open in Beijing next month, consisting of an art exhibition of Shenzhen's 30-year development, a symphony concert and a poster invitation exhibition.

Excerpt from: >> CRIENGLISH ; >>Shenzhen Government Online