【明報專訊】CELEBRATING the 40th anniversary of Reform and Opening-up, General Secretary of the Communist Party of China Xi Jinping has given a speech emphasising the need to broaden China's reform while adhering to the path of socialism with Chinese characteristics. China's reform and opening-up is a significant event in world history. It signals that China is finally on the path to modernisation after more than a hundred years of struggle. The awakening of the giant after a century's sleep has subverted the western-dominated world order and the dominant paradigm of development. Many western academics, eager to understand this "red swan" phenomenon, have conducted studies into the Chinese model. Over the past four decades, China has achieved brilliant results in the modernisation of such areas as industries and technologies. But obviously, efforts in establishing the rule of law are still inadequate. To help China become a modernised major power by the middle of this century, the "substructure" is of course an important factor but building a good "superstructure" is even more crucial. Only by strengthening the rule of law properly can the country win corresponding respect from the global community.