[Live Updates] Conference celebrating 40th anniversary of China's reform and opening up

Xi said a review of the past several thousand years shows that reform and opening-up remains the norm throughout China's history.

Xi stressed striking a balance between reform, development and stability by maintaining the worldview and methodology of dialectical and historical materialism.

Xi said continued efforts should be made to exercise full and rigorous governance over the Communist Party of China to strengthen its capacity to innovate, power to unite, and energy to fight.

Xi underlined China's commitment to opening up wider to the world and promoting joint efforts to build a community with a shared future for humanity.

Xi called for continued efforts to take development as the top priority and enhance China's composite national strength.

Xi stressed staying on the path of socialism with Chinese characteristics and upholding and developing socialism with Chinese characteristics.

Xi said continued efforts should be made to improve and develop the system of socialism with Chinese characteristics to harness and enhance the advantages of China's system.

Xi called for upholding Marxism as the guiding ideology and exploring theoretical innovations based on practice.

Xi said the people-oriented approach must be adhered to and efforts should be made to keep delivering on the people's aspirations for a better life.

Xi stressed the CPC's leadership over all work while calling for constantly enhancing and improving the Party's way of leadership.

Xi said China's development over the past 40 years has effectively served the cause of world peace and development.

Xi summed up the great achievements of the country's reform and opening-up.

Xi said that China has kept improving the people's lives and well-being over the past 40 years.

Xi called the pursuit of reform and opening-up and socialism with Chinese characteristics a milestone in realizing the Chinese nation's rejuvenation.

Xi said the reform and opening-up is a great revolution in the history of the Chinese people and the Chinese nation.

Chinese President Xi Jinping is delivering a keynote speech at the conference.

Chinese leaders present the medals to the prize winners.

Ten foreign friends are awarded friendship medals for their support for China's reform and opening-up.

One hundred Chinese people, from the field of science, economics, grass-roots Party officials, model workers, state-owned enterprises, and private sector, are awarded the medals of reform pioneers for their contribution to the country's reform and opening-up.

Wang Huning, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee,  is delivering a speech, saying Chinese people are the source of strength that drives reforms.

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang presides over the meeting.

A conference celebrating the 40th anniversary of China's reform and opening-up started at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing.