China's rapid progression over the years

Women wearing sunglasses pose for a group photo at a park in Beijing in this 1980 file photo. As China battles an economic slowdown that could test Communist Party control, its leaders are celebrating events 30 years old to reaffirm the reform policies that took the nation from Mao jackets to business suits. -- PHOTO: REUTERS

Women, wearing nylon masks, chat as they rest on the shore during their visit to a beach in Qingdao, Shandong province on July 6, 2012. The mask, which was invented by a woman about seven years ago, is used to block the sun's rays. The mask is under mass production and is on sale at local swimwear stores. -- PHOTO: REUTERS

People perform Arhat exercise, a form of traditional Chinese fitness exercise, at a park in Beijing in this 1988 file photo. As China battles an economic slowdown that could test Communist Party control, its leaders are celebrating events 30 years old to reaffirm the reform policies that took the nation from Mao jackets to business suits. -- PHOTO: REUTERS

Dance students practice a move during a training session at a pole dancing club in Wuhan, Hubei province on Aug 31, 2012. -- PHOTO: REUTERS

Black-and-white TV sets are displayed at a department store in Xidan, one of the three traditional shopping streets, in Beijing in this 1981 file photo. As China battles an economic slowdown that could test Communist Party control, its leaders are celebrating events 30 years old to reaffirm the reform policies that took the nation from Mao jackets to business suits. -- PHOTO: REUTERS

Participants sing revolutionary songs during a singing competition to celebrate the upcoming 90th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party of China (CPC), in Chongqing municipality on June 28, 2011. -- PHOTO: REUTERS

A worker repairs a pillar in front of a statue of the late Chinese leader Mao Zedong in Yingkou, Liaoning province in this 1994 file photo. As China battles an economic slowdown that could test Communist Party control, its leaders are celebrating events 30 years old to reaffirm the reform policies that took the nation from Mao jackets to business suits. -- PHOTO: REUTERS

A spectator waves a Chinese flag in front of a statue of Chairman Mao Zedong during the Olympic torch relay in Kashgar, Xinjiang province on June 18, 2008. -- PHOTO: REUTERS

A boy and his father display their soccer skills on a roadside in Beijing in this 1981 file photo. As China battles an economic slowdown that could test Communist Party control, its leaders are celebrating events 30 years old to reaffirm the reform policies that took the nation from Mao jackets to business suits. -- PHOTO: REUTERS

Shaolin students play soccer at Tagou Wushu School in Zhengzhou, Henan province on July 11, 2010. -- PHOTO: REUTERS

People offer sewing services at an open market in Quanzhou, Fujian province, in this 1982 file photo. As China battles an economic slowdown that could test Communist Party control, its leaders are celebrating events 30 years old to reaffirm the reform policies that took the nation from Mao jackets to business suits. -- PHOTO: REUTERS

Employees work at a production line of a garment factory in Huaibei, Anhui province on July 8, 2010. -- PHOTO: REUTERS

Drivers talk on a steam locomotive at the Yongdingmen railway station in Beijing in this 1981 file photo. As China battles an economic slowdown that could test Communist Party control, its leaders are celebrating events 30 years old to reaffirm the reform policies that took the nation from Mao jackets to business suits. -- PHOTO: REUTERS

Passengers walk out of a CRH (China Railway High-speed) Harmony bullet train at Beijing South Railway Station on July 25, 2011. -- PHOTO: REUTERS

Buses and electrical trolley buses mingle with bicycles and pedestrians at a crossroad near Chongwenmen in Beijing in this 1984 file photo. -- PHOTO: REUTERS

Vehicles experience traffic congestion at a junction on a highway in Xiamen, south China's Fujian province on Jan 4, 2007. -- PHOTO: REUTERS

People push their bicycles across a railway track during rush hour in Shanghai in this 1991 file photo. As China battles an economic slowdown that could test Communist Party control, its leaders are celebrating events 30 years old to reaffirm the reform policies that took the nation from Mao jackets to business suits. -- PHOTO: REUTERS

Passengers crowd a bus at a bus stop during rush hour in Beijing on July 21, 2008. -- PHOTO: REUTERS