On April 25, Chinese President Xi Jinping paid a visit to Xiaogang, a village in Fengyang County, Chuzhou, Anhui Province. He walked in the wheat fields and visited farmers' homes. Standing in a courtyard named, "the farm in the past", Xi listened to the farmers' account of how 18 villagers signed a contract of household responsibility with red hand-prints, which heralded the land contract reform in rural areas in 1978.

Xi called for villagers to emulate reforms to abide by and stick to the Party's basic theory for a hundred years. Consistent reforms and opening up would write a new chapter for the country's development.

History illuminates a road to the future. Xiaogang village is a pioneering example of reforms, as well a witness to rural developments.

We are closer to the dream of national rejuvenation, however there is still a long way to go. To promote economic development through structural reform of supply-side, citizens would face numerous difficulties that must be tackled.

Xi's visit demonstrates his determination for reforms, highlighting governments' care for citizens, and to cohere for new developments. Reform and opening up would not pause.

Adhering to serving the people, and opening up a new realm to let millions of people share in remarkable achievements would be the path to China's success story.

The author is director of the Social Administration Research Center, China National School of Administration.

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