Great changes have taken place in the management office of Tian'anmen Gate Tower since then. It has become able to cover its own operating costs and earn a profit.

Months after Tian'anmen's opening, China accelerated its pace of opening up. In early 1988, the East Liaoning Peninsula and the Shandong Peninsula were opened. Together with Dalian, Qinhuangdao, Tianjin, Yantai and Qingdao, they formed the Bohai economic rim.

On March 4, China opened more areas along its coast. A total of 288 cities and counties were opened. Some 160 million people were able to get in touch with the outside world.

In April, Hainan Province was founded. It became the largest special economic zone in China.

The Tian'anmen Gate Tower, once the private property of the emperor, was made accessible to the public 567 years after its creation. The changes in Tian'anmen and other places in China bore witness to the nation's firm resolve to carry on with the reform and opening-up policy.

(China.org.cn by Chen Xia, January 13, 2009)