Shanghai woman sees development firsthand

Li Shuqi could hardly have imagined 10 years ago that she would become a financial professional and travel around the world. The Shanghai native had seldom even crossed the Huangpu River to Pudong as a teenager.

Born in 1978, the year China began its reform and opening-up, Li was among the lucky generations to witness the country becoming richer and stronger. For Li and her family, life has also become easier and more colorful.

"I still remember how happy I was when I first had my own bedroom in 1988 and didn't have to clean the wooden toilet anymore as the new house had a flush toilet," she said.