But Mao also made serious mistakes, notably the "Great Leap Forward" movement in the 1950s, and the "Cultural Revolution of the Proletarians" in the 1960s. After Mao passed away in 1976, Deng Xiaoping became the paramount leader of the nation. It was under his stewardship that China began to reform and open up, and became integrated into the global economy. It was also under his leadership that the Chinese people found new ways to prosperity.

After 35 years of rapid growth since 1978, China now ranks second in the world in terms of economic aggregate. Within a few years it will take first place — this expectation being based on the fact that the country and its governing body remain relatively stable. Having faith in China's growth model, the new generation of Chinese leadership with President Xi Jinping at the core also needs to deal with the important, strenuous and complicated tasks brought about by the high-speed economic development. By 2020 the per capita income of urban and rural residents in China will be double that of 2010. China will continue to improve and develop socialism with Chinese characteristics, and promote modernization of the state governance system and its governing capacity, so as to lay a solid institutional foundation for the country's development in the long run. China will promote new industrialization, informationization, urbanization and agricultural development, and encourage investment and consumption at the same time. It must also reform its finance industry. President Xi will pay special attention to problems caused by corruption, environmental pollution, illegal occupation of land, labor disputes, and threats to food safety.

Reducing smog in China's major cities is an urgent issue. Factors contributing to carbon dioxide smog are complicated, and implementing control measures on different fronts requires a huge budget, which might affect power supply to the public, or their incomes. The state's climate policy will also be part of the process. At a time when calls to curb global warming get louder, China cannot back away.

Another serious issue for China is that its rapid urbanization process is accompanied by an aging population, and a national network for old-age care is imperative under the circumstances. China will also have to reconsider its one-child policy. The household registration system also calls for adjustment.

People visiting China today will notice that the country is pressing forward with reform in many areas. The rights of migrant workers are better protected, and there are larger and more successful agricultural enterprises in the market. Comparing China from Mao's era 40 years ago to today's China, one can see that the space for development, freedom and other civil rights has greatly expanded.

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