The premiere issue of Stories of China's reform and Opening-Up was launched in Hong Kong on Thursday.

Zhang Guoliang, director of Wen Wei Po, gave an overview of the book when kicking off the ceremony co-sponsored by the Business and Professionals Federation of Hong Kong, Wen Wei Po and China Daily Hong Kong Edition.

He pointed out that this year is not only the 100th birth anniversary of Deng Xiaoping but also the 25th anniversary of China's reform and opening-up, a policy that initiated by the great Chinese leader himself.

Jointly published by the Shui On Holdings Ltd, China International Publishing Group and Wen Wei Po, Stories of China's Reform and Opening-Up is therefore as much a review of the reform in the past 25 years as a commemoration of Deng, Zhang said.

He said the book presents the past 25 years of great development from a spectrum of angles with 100 stories. The book is an objective record of the enormous changes brought by the reform to the country and the people.

A spokesman of the organizers said that the reform and opening-up not only has brought tremendous changes to the Chinese mainland, it has been greatly beneficial to Hong Kong as well. Hong Kong's smooth return to the motherland was the outcome of the implementation of "One Country, Two Systems" designed by Deng.

He said the rebound of Hong Kong's economy was attributed much to the central government's serial of support measures.

He said the premiere issue would help different sectors in Hong Kong, especially young people, to have more knowledge about the reform and development of the Chinese mainland.

Li Gang, vice director of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, attended the ceremony.
 
(Xinhua News Agency September 17, 2004)