It is hard for many Westers to appreciate just how far and how fast China has coem since the policies of opening and reform were launched 20 years ago. This list of "firsts" may help give some idea of the dramatic changes in Chinese people's lives over the past two decades.
First visiting symphony orchestra
In April 1978, the Boston Symphony Orchestra held a three-day concert in Beijing, playing an important role in the normalization of the Sino-American diplomatic relationship.
First TV sports match broadcast live
The world cup final in 1978, Argentina vs. Holland.
First TV advertisement
January 28, 1979. Shanghai TV showed a commercial for San Gui medicinal spirit lasting 1.5 minutes.
First advertisement for foreign business
Shanghai's Wenhui Bao published an advertisement for Rada watches on page 3 of the 15 March, 1979 issue.
First joint venture
The Beijing Air Catering Company was established on May 1, 1980 by the China Civil Aviation Administration and Maxim? Caterers Ltd of Hong Kong.
First Ph.D
June 16, 1982. China held its first doctoral examinations. Ma Zhongqi, Xie Huimin, Li Shangzhi, Zhao Lincheng, Bai Zhidong and Feng Yulin all received their doctorates.
First match-making agency
A generation of young people who had not managed to get married due to the cultural revolution was a widely recognized problem in the early 1980s. The Guangzhou Youth Marriage Introduction Agency set up in November 1982 is commonly thought to have been the first of its kind in China. By June 1984, it had made 1,400 successful matches, and its success rate topped 14.4%.
First tour to Hong Kong
The first mainland Chinese tour group to Hong Kong arrived on November 15, 1983. An old Hong Kong woman hugged one of the group's members and said, "Deng Xiaoping should live a long life.
First personal advertisement
Appeared in the May 1984 issue of the magazine "Women of China." The ad read: "I am a miner, 27, parents dead, four brothers, eight rooms. I am a contract worker at Fengying Coal Mine in Jiaozuo. Monthly wage is 80 yuan. I love mining work. I am healthy, 1.64 meters tall. Any girl who doesn't mind me being a mining worker, or a widow who wants a new husband, please contact me. I am willing to live with the girl's family if she is the only child of the family.
First stockholding company
The Shanghai Feile Hi-Fi Company issued stocks to individuals and collectives on 18 November, 1984. Deng Xiaoping later gave one Feile share to former US president George Bush as a gift.
First rock concert
May 1986, the Chinese National Concert by 100 Stars was held to celebrate World Peace Year. Cui Jian, wearing a yellow army uniform with trouser legs rolled up, walked on stage to laughter from the audience. He sang "I Have Nothing," launching rock 'n' roll in China.
First bankrupt enterprise
August 3, 1986, the Shengyang Anti-Explosive Materials Plant was declared bankrupt after ten years of running in the red. This put an end to the traditional belief that a socialist enterprise could never go bankrupt.
First e-mail
September 20, 1987, Qian Baitian sent China's first e-mail to West Germany.
Tian'anmen Rostrum opened to visitors
January 1, 1988. The price of an entrance ticket was 10 yuan.
First McDonald?
October 8, 1990, China's first McDonald's opened in Shenzhen.
First mainland reporters to Taiwan
Eighteen reporters from the Chinese mainland made a one-week tour to Taiwan beginning on September 3, 1992. More than 100 Taiwanese reporters interviewed the Chinese journalists.
First sex shop
March 23, 1993, the Adam and Eve Health Center opened on Zhaodengyu Lu at Dongdan in Beijing. Many customers left hurriedly without getting change after making their purchase. More people just loitered outside and dared not enter.