I would like to write about two anniversaries on both an objective (the facts) and subjective (self-experience) basis.

The "Reform and Opening-up policy", which is associated with the name of Deng Xiaoping, one of the greatest individuals of the 20th century, began to be put into practice 20 years ago. The quick, radical and gradually more stable changes in the life of society, economy and policy in China surprised the world. Deng Xiaoping said: "It is not important whether the cat is white or black, as long as it can catch mice." Namely the determinant role of ideological opinions has to be replaced by policies that raise the living standards of the people, to ensure they everyone has enough to live on and to ensure society is peaceful and happy.

I spent three years in the mid-80s in China but since 1994 I have been living here permanently and I would like to write about some of my experiences of everyday life in China on the 10th anniversary of my coming to live here.

When I go about on the streets of Beijing with my young daughter we see lots of jolly and well-dressed people. It is obvious that they have enough money to buy attractive and fashionable clothes and the women especially have an excellent taste in dress.

We can see big motor cars in the streets too. The number of privately owned cars is going from strength to strength in the past few years and traffic has became more congested.

Similarly when you go into the shops or markets, they are overflowing with goods and the quality of the most products is high-grade and the prices are reasonable for everybody. Sometimes shops cut prices in the interest of increased turnover.

There are lots of customers in the shops and markets who are able to buy a great variety of goods. In earlier times there were few goods and few customers. The change seems incredible and it has taken place in less than two decades in so underdeveloped a country that was China in mid-80s.

But the fact is, that it was the hard work of the Chinese people (the farmers above all), the "Reform and Opening-up policy" and the flexible policies of the Chinese supreme leadership with the Communist Party in the background, who fought through all difficulties so that China succeeded in ensuring that nearly one and a half billion people have enough to live on.

When my daughter and I stroll the busy streets, shops and markets, we see a lot of people who look pleased. We can see by their faces that they live contentedly and they give sugar, chocolate or fruit to my daughter.

Another observation is that more and more people and families go out to eat in restaurants where they can order fine meals and drinks.

On weekends my daughter and I used to go to parks and places of relaxation where we can see lots of people - parents and children, youths and older folk - passing the time agreeably and merrily. They can go in a boat, fish or play with toys and we can see that more and more people are as pleased as can be.

I am celebrating my 10th anniversary of residence in China. I am a new man after 10 years: half-foreign and half-Chinese.

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