The dramatic transformation of China over the past four decades means there are significant statistics to mark the 40th anniversary of China's reform and opening-up this year. For example, the country's GDP hit 82.71 trillion yuan ($13.06 trillion) last year, about 230 times that of 1978, and China has lifted nearly 800 million people out of poverty.

Even the most diehard China-collapse pundits in the West are now having to rack their brains to come up with new theories in the face of dazzling track record of China over the past 40 years, during which, according to their theories, China should have collapsed several times.

Despite this, China still appreciates their "warnings", as they have served as milestones for the country's development, and served to remind its decision-makers to always be vigilant.

At this moment, the nation must be vigilant to the internal challenges it faces. But the connections between the nation's historical sacrifices and modern prosperity should not be forgotten.

The First Opium War (1840-42) marks the beginning of China's humiliating recent history, but more importantly the people's struggle to revive the ancient country.

Compared with the previous anniversaries marking the first, second and third decades of reform and opening-up, the focus today is no longer on which path we should take, or whether that path fits China, but how to improve the path of socialism with Chinese characteristics, which, as President Xi Jinping said, stems from not only the great practices in reform and open-up since 1978, but also 1949 when new China was founded.

That the path itself has its roots in the more than 5,000 years of Chinese civilization, and has profound cultural and historical origins ensures it fits into China's practical and fast-changing national conditions, and guarantees its vitality for the foreseeable future. Over the next 40 years, China will continue to overcome the challenges it faces while contributing its wisdom and solutions to the world.

- GUANCHA.CN