UNITED NATIONS, Sept. 27 (Xinhua) -- China's achievements over the past 70 years are nothing but a miracle in the development of mankind, Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi told the General Debate of the United Nations General Assembly on Friday.

In his speech, the top diplomat attributed the success of China's development to the country's adherence to the centralized, unified leadership of the Communist Party of China; to the development path suited to China's national conditions; to the fundamental policy of reform and opening up; and to the people-centered development philosophy.

"In the past 70 years, we Chinese have changed our destiny through tireless efforts," Wang said, noting that 2019 marks the 70th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China.

"Seventy years ago, China put an end to a period in modern history in which the country was torn apart and trampled upon. We stood up and became true masters of our country," he said.

"Over the past 70 years, China has turned itself from a closed, backward and poor country with a weak foundation into a country that is open and on the move," he added, noting that 850 million Chinese have shaken off poverty and hundreds of millions have joined the middle income group.

"In just several decades, China has finished what took developed countries several hundred years to complete," Wang said. "And in doing so, China has blazed a new path to modernization for developing countries and enriched the dreams of people around the world for a better life."

"None of these achievements has fallen from the sky. Rather, they owe themselves to the hard work, vision and courage of the Chinese people," he said.