The story appears on

Page A8

July 28, 2021

GET this page in PDF

Free for subscribers

View shopping cart

Related News

HomeOpinion

Ending poverty for inclusive development

China has brought about a historic resolution of the problem of absolute poverty and realized its first centenary goal 鈥 building a moderately prosperous society in all respects.

The achievements mark a key milestone for the world鈥檚 most populous country on its journey toward national rejuvenation.

Observers say the elimination of absolute poverty under the leadership of the Communist Party of China (CPC) is not only of great significance for China鈥檚 own development, but also a powerful boost to inclusive development across the globe.

In many parts of the world, the development gap is increasing. Global extreme poverty grew in 2020 for the first time in over 20 years as the disruption by the COVID-19 pandemic compounds the forces of conflicts and climate change, which were already slowing poverty reduction progress. Reducing poverty and promoting inclusive development have become an increasingly urgent task for all countries.

The CPC stressed that no one should be left behind on the path to a moderately prosperous society. In the past eight years, China focused on areas of extreme poverty, and lifted the final 98.99 million impoverished rural residents out of poverty by the end of 2020.

Christine Bierre, an expert at the Schiller France Institute, said China鈥檚 achievement of eradicating absolute poverty is a 鈥渞eal miracle.鈥

鈥淣ow the achievement of China鈥檚 poverty alleviation is vast, and it鈥檚 something that the outside world needs to give China credit for,鈥 said Kerry Brown, a professor of Chinese studies at King鈥檚 College, London.

China as a key contributor

China has been a key contributor to the global improvement in literacy levels, fall in malnutrition and poverty levels, improvement in access to clean water, and the general elevation of basic human wellbeing, he added.

China is home to nearly one fifth of the world鈥檚 population. Its complete eradication of extreme poverty 鈥 the first target of the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development 鈥 10 years ahead of schedule is a milestone in the history of the Chinese nation and the history of humankind, making an important contribution to the cause of global poverty alleviation.

As China fights poverty at home, its experience in poverty alleviation and inclusive development has become a source of inspirations for developing countries worldwide.

In recent years, the 鈥淐hina-style鈥 poverty reduction experience has grabbed global attention, such as targeted poverty alleviation and rural e-commerce, which, according to the World Bank, shows the power of digital technology in helping with poverty reduction and inclusive development.

鈥淚n the poverty alleviation front, China set up special poverty alleviation agencies, poverty standards identified and implementation targets codified,鈥 said Cavince Adhere, a Kenya-based international relations scholar.

鈥淭his facilitated effective monitoring and evaluation of progress made leading to the defeat of extreme poverty on target, even when China was battling the COVID-19 pandemic,鈥 he said.

The global significance of China鈥檚 poverty alleviation lies in the fact that the country has provided the world with practical and feasible poverty reduction strategies and solutions, said B. R. Deepak, Indian sinologist and professor of New Delhi-based Jawaharlal Nehru University.

鈥淐hina has been instrumental in building capacities in developing and least developed countries by sharing its experience, providing funding and contributing to growth and sustainable development,鈥 Deepak said in an interview. The eradication of absolute poverty in China also demonstrates the concept of inclusive development.

According to Romina Sudak, a researcher with the China-Argentina Research Group at the National University of Rosario in Argentina, China鈥檚 building of a moderately prosperous society in all respects reflects the idea that no one will be left behind in the fight against poverty.

Francis Semwaza, a social affairs analyst based in Tanzania鈥檚 commercial capital Dar es Salaam, said China鈥檚 achievements in ending absolute poverty and establishing a moderately prosperous society in all respects reflect the CPC鈥檚 purpose of serving the people wholeheartedly and that the goal of China鈥檚 poverty alleviation has always been serving the people.

鈥淐hina鈥檚 building of a moderately prosperous society in all respects fully demonstrates that the nation is composed of people, and people are all that matter to the nation,鈥 said Bambang Suryono, chairman of Indonesia鈥檚 Asia Innovation Study Center. 鈥淭he world can clearly see that China is pursuing inclusive development.鈥


 

Copyright 漏 1999- Shanghai Daily. All rights reserved.Preferably viewed with Internet Explorer 8 or newer browsers.

娌叕缃戝畨澶 31010602000204鍙

Email this to your friend