China holds a grand gathering to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the country's reform and opening-up at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Dec. 18, 2018. (Xinhua/Wang Ye)

BEIJING, Dec. 18 (Xinhua) -- China held a grand gathering Tuesday to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the country's reform and opening-up, a great revolution that has changed the destiny of the Chinese nation and also influenced the world.

President Xi Jinping and other Chinese leaders attended the event which began at around 10 a.m. at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing.

Premier Li Keqiang presided over the meeting.

The celebration started with all participants rising to sing the national anthem.

Wang Huning, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, read a decision to award the personnel who have made outstanding contributions to the country's reform and opening-up.