2018 marks the 40th anniversary of reform and opening-up in China. Looking back on the past 40 years, it reveals great achievements have been made in many areas.

Yu Wenguo started his career as a photographer in 1978, the year that ushered in the new era of reform and changed the lives of many.

Missing an opportunity to go to college, Yu worked as a farmer, a soldier and factory worker before becoming a professional photographer.

Since the day he picked up his camera, he recorded the huge changes in China’s society over the past 40 years.

Photographer Yu preferred to choose ordinary people in the context of swiftly changing times as his subjects.

The following photos are selected from Yu’s collection of works and they tell the story of people and social changes in 40 years of reform and opening-up in China.