China holds a grand gathering Tuesday to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the country's reform and opening-up, a great revolution that has changed the destiny of the Chinese nation and also influenced the world.

Chinese President Xi Jinping is delivering a keynote speech at a conference marking the 40th anniversary of the country's reform and opening up at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing.

During the event, 100 Chinese people, from the field of science, economics, grass-roots Party officials, model workers, state-owned enterprises, and private sector, were honored for their contribution to the country's reform and opening-up.

This year marks the 40th anniversary of China's reform and opening-up policy, a landmark program that has transformed the once poor nation into the world's second-largest economy. Over the past decades, tremendous changes have taken place in the country. (Photos: Xinhua)