Xie Gaohua (1931 - ), former Party chief of Yiwu

The city of Yiwu in Zhejiang province is now the world's largest small commodities trading center. Over 1.8 million kinds of commodities are produced and sold in Yiwu to more than 200 countries and regions.

Four decades ago, most of the people in Yiwu were farmers. Xie, then Party chief of Yiwu, was the man behind the tremendous change.

At the beginning of China's reform and opening-up, Xie insisted on breaking old conventions and allowed the operation of street markets. He proposed the strategy of developing small businesses to boost local economy, laying a solid foundation for today's "world supermarket".

Xie Gaohua, former Party chief of Yiwu, attends the official commemoration of China's reform and opening-up in Beijing on Dec 18. [Photo/IC]