HAIKOU, Dec. 18 (Xinhua) -- A database encompassing events, interviews, and exhibits on China's reform and opening up went online Tuesday, coinciding with the 40th anniversary of the country's reform and opening-up.

The China Institute for Reform and Development, based in south China's Hainan Province, inaugurated the database that covers 8,000 major events since 1978.

The database includes historical records over the past 40 years, personal interviews with more than 300 people and over 30,000 exhibits such as photos, documents, and objects.

The institute said it plans to update the database with information from government websites as well as websites of institutes and media organizations and upload more interviews to the database in the future.

China on Tuesday marked the 40th anniversary of its reform and opening up. Over the past 40 years, the country has lifted 740 million people out of poverty.