On July 5th, over 20 representatives including entrepreneurs, artists and educators gathered at the Canton Tower and shared their stories of participating in Guangzhou’s reform and opening up.

They have witnessed huge changes in business environment, culture, transportation, infrastructure, entrepreneurship, education and lifestyle of the city over the past 40 years.

During the event, Li Chuyuan, Party Chief and President of GPHL, told the story about how he seized the day and has led GPHL to be China’s NO.1 pharmaceutical manufacturer seven years in a row.

During an interview session, Xian Jiaxiong, Deputy Party Chief of GPHL, said the two pots were what was used for producing herbal medicine when 24 young people established the Baiyunshan Pharmaceutical Factory in 1973. “They lacked raw materials, capital and a sales network. But after years of working hard, Baiyunshan’s products are now being sold through 800 offline stores.”

Meanwhile, GPHL has always emphasized its ability to innovate. It is the first enterprise in China to launch a campaign to reclaim customers’ expired medicine and build a TCM museum, Shennong Herbal Garden. GPHL’s subsidiary, Wanglaoji, has become one of the most popular beverages in China with an annual sales revenue exceeding 20 billion yuan.

According to Xian Jiaxiong, the total sales revenue of GPHL in 2019 is expected to reach 10 thousand times that of 1980.

Reported by Jasmine Yin

Edited by Olivia Ouyang, Simon Haywood