This Day, That Year

Editor's note: This year marks the 40th anniversary of China's reform and opening-up policy.

In 1990, Tangshan, Hebei province, became the first Chinese city awarded the UN Habitat Scroll of Honor and the local government was chosen by the UN as an "outstanding organization contributing to human residence" for its reconstruction efforts after the Tangshan earthquake of 1976.

In 2016, on the 40th anniversary of the 1976 earthquake, Tangshan hosted the World Horticultural Expo, under the theme of "City and Nature, Phoenix Nirvana" - a reference to the city's rise from the rubble.