After the beginning of "reform and openness policy", the position of the People's Republic of China in the world has undergone the big changes. China actively and creatively reacts to the processes, which occur in the world, plays in all of them more appreciable role. The article retraces the change in estimations of historical epoch, which were given by the leadership of the People's Republic of China according to the development of China's reforms in the changing world.

Key words: historical epoch, leitmotif, international situation, leadership of the Peoples Republic of China, peace, development, cooperation, estimation.