Editors Note: The following article was written by Yu Xueyong, Chargé d'Affaires ad interim of the Chinese Embassy in Maldives. The article is recorded here as originally written. No changes have been made in phraseology, structure or punctuation.
Recently, China released the white paper Poverty Alleviation: China's Experience and Contribution. It reviews the history of the Communist Party of China (CPC) in uniting and leading its people to fight against poverty, especially in winning the battle against poverty since the 18th CPC National Congress in 2012, introduces China's exploration, practice and experience in poverty alleviation.
The white paper points out that China, home to nearly one fifth of the world’s population, has achieved a complete eradication of extreme poverty – the first target of the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development–10 years ahead of schedule, which is a great contribution to the global poverty alleviation and human progress.
Since reform and opening up, more than 770 million of China's rural population living below the current poverty standard have been lifted out of poverty, accounting for more than 70 percent of the global total over the same period according to the World Bank's international poverty line. China’s poverty alleviation practices have not only enabled hundreds of millions of Chinese people to lead a well-off life, but have also significantly reduced the size of the world's poor population and expanded the reach of human capacity to overcome poverty.
In this campaign against poverty, China has followed the people-centered philosophy, and take public satisfaction as an important yardstick to judge the effectiveness of poverty elimination. It would rather cut down on the number of major projects in favor of investment in poverty elimination; it would rather penalize short-term, partial or local interests to ensure the cause is well served and guaranteed; and it would rather slow the pace of economic growth to ensure the task of poverty alleviation is accomplished on schedule.
China has highlighted poverty alleviation in the governance. The CPC has always regarded poverty alleviation as an important task for ensuring national peace and stability. It has highlighted poverty alleviation at national level when setting its guidelines, principles and policies, and when formulating national plans for medium- and long-term development.
China has been adhering to eradicate poverty through development. It has concentrated its efforts in particular on the economy, to address the problem of unbalanced and inadequate development. China has regarded reform as an important driving force for poverty eradication. These measures have contributed to rural development and increased farmers' incomes.
China has been pressing ahead with poverty alleviation based on reality. China has set its poverty line and its poverty alleviation goals and strategies, and worked to create better ideas and methods based on its national conditions and stage of development. China has gradually lifted its poverty line based on its economic and social advances and progress in the cause of poverty alleviation to share the fruits of development with more people.
China has been letting the poor play the principal role. China fully respects the principal role of the poor and encourages them to play their part, inspires them with the motivation to fight poverty, and enhances their ability to participate in development, share the fruits of development, and achieve endogenous development.
China pooled all resources to create synergy in this approach. A large-scale poverty alleviation network has been established, with the government, society and the market working in coordination. It is a framework with the full participation of multiple players from different regions, sectors, departments and businesses. All sectors are mobilized to unite with common purpose and act in unison.
This year marks the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party of China. Over the past 100 years the Communist Party of China has led the Chinese people in consistent pursuit of progress. With tremendous efforts, China managed to eradicate extreme poverty and achieved all-round prosperity.
China's achievement is a milestone not only in the history of the Chinese nation, but also in the history of humankind. The path and theory of poverty alleviation with Chinese characteristics that China has accumulated belongs both to China itself and to the rest of the world, and offers new perspective and approach to the international community in its battle against poverty.
The complete eradication of poverty is a main theme of the times and shared pursuit of the humankind. It is also our common vision and goal. China is willing to enhance poverty alleviation cooperation with other countries, including Maldives, to make greater contribution to building a global community of shared future free from poverty and featuring common development.
