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SCIO briefing on poverty alleviation and development

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Speakers:
Officials from the State Council Leading Group Office of Poverty Alleviation and Development

Chairperson:
Hu Kaihong, vice director-general of the Press Bureau, State Council Information Office

Date:
Dec 15, 2015

Reuters:

Currently, China has a rural population of over 70 million who live below the poverty line, so why does the Chinese government still prefer to help other countries in poverty alleviation through the establishment of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) and the “Belt and Road” Initiatives? Why doesn’t the Chinese government make Chinese people the priority when alleviating poverty?

Liu Yongfu:

China is a developing country, and also a responsible one. China should first resolve its own problems in its contribution to the world. As we all know, the UN made an evaluation in the 2015 development agenda, which revealed that China has reduced its rural poor population by 790 million since the reform and opening up policies were introduced, and that China’s contribution rate to global poverty alleviation reached over 70 percent. We are applying ourselves to the alleviation of poverty in China; at the same time, we need to cooperate and communicate with less developed countries on this issue and offer help.

At the beginning of China’s reform and opening up period, China received help in alleviating poverty from other countries and international organizations. What we are doing now is reducing poverty at home on one hand and helping other countries, including exchanging experiences and implementing pilot projects, within our power on the other hand. We are giving consideration to both sides.

On Oct 16, 2015, when addressing the 2015 Global Poverty Reduction and Development Forum in Beijing, President Xi Jinping called for the establishment of a poverty-free world. We think it something China should do to actively supporting the poverty-alleviation cause in other developing countries while reducing poverty at home. It is also something China should do as a permanent member of the UN Security Council, the world’s second largest economy and a responsible country.

Su Guoxia:

I’d also like to add one thing. The cooperation between China and its surrounding countries has provided a range of employment opportunities for poor people and this has a positive effect on global poverty alleviation. Thank you.