China looks back on 40 years of magic memories

Olympic achievements celebrated on anniversary of nation's IOC return

Forty years ago, a meeting thousands of kilometers away from Chinese shores helped change the course of the nation's modern history, creating new opportunities and breakthroughs across the sporting, cultural and economic spheres, and spawning decades of glorious moments.

"I had no clue at all that a decision made four decades ago could've influenced my life so much in a positive direction," said China's first Winter Olympic gold medalist, short-track speed skater Yang Yang.