大象传媒

It's been forty years since China turned away from old-style communism and set out on a path of economic reform under former leader Deng Xiaoping.

It was a transformation that saw the private sector take on a greater role, industry modernise and the country open up to international trade. The changes ushered in an extraordinary period of economic growth, which saw China become the world's second biggest economy in just a few decades.

To mark the anniversary of the reforms, Chinese President Xi Jinping gave a speech in the Great Hall of the People in Beijing's Tiananmen Square, celebrating what he called his country's epic achievements during that time.

Jinny Yan, chief China economist at ICBC Standard Bank, listened to the speech and told us what she learned.

(Image: Chinese president Xi Jinping clapping. Credit: Getty Images)