The Chinese Eradication of Poverty & the Developing World
by Yalin Xin
How is China’s story of eradication of extreme poverty relevant in international development?
On February 25, 2021, China declared victory in its fight against poverty, an eight-year effort since 2012, lifting the final 98.99 million rural residents out of extreme poverty. This is obviously one of the biggest achievements since China launched the “reform and opening up” in 1978, when there were about 800 million people in China who lived in poverty. In other words, it accounts for 70 per cent of global poverty reduction for the past four decades and met poverty eradication target in the 2030 UN Agenda for Sustainable Development 10 years ahead of the schedule.
In the subsequently published white paper titled Poverty Alleviation: China’s Experience and Contribution[1] by the State Council Information Office in April 2021, it delineates how China reached this milestone as a nation and also part of the global community. It is intended to “introduce China’s approach, and share its experience and actions in poverty alleviation” (2). The document starts with a historical retrospect of CPC and its role in establishing the People’s Republic of China, but highlights the period of “reform and opening up” beginning in 1978 under the leadership of Deng Xiaoping when significant efforts were made in economic reform and development in face of the daunting challenge of a large scale impoverished population, which signified the beginning of China’s “development-driven” approach to poverty alleviation.
The 70-page white paper provides detailed examples of projects along with the narrative. While reports and responses from the West focused primarily on challenging the validity of China’s claim or the “metrics” of China’s poverty line, they missed out the valuable lessons that can be learned here. Here are some insights gleaned that may be relevant, especially to the nations and peoples currently fighting poverty.
Highlighting poverty alleviation in the governance of the country, namely, policies and plans are introduced, systems established, and national resources are pooled for the cause (49). The document attributes China’s socialist system as a given advantage in that it has “the ability to pool resources on major endeavors” (51).
Development-driven approach to poverty eradication. By reforming innovatively in the context of China, i.e., household contract responsibility system, socialist market economy, China has seen steady economic growth and social development.
Identifying and removing institutional and structural causes of poverty, and making adjustments to strategies and policies constantly “as circumstances and local conditions change” (53).
Recognizing that the poor are “the main players in eliminating poverty,” and enhancing the ability of the poor to participate in development through educational opportunities or vocational training, for instance. (54).
Meeting not only needs for food and clothing, access to compulsory education, basic medical services, and safe housing, but also laying foundation for sustainable development and continuous improvement of the welfare of those who are lifted out of poverty.
China is offering to share its experience, promote international cooperation, and extend assistance in the global cause of poverty alleviation. What is your response, as international development scholars and practitioners?
[1] The English translation of the white paper can be found at http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/2021-04/06/c_139860414.htm