Transitions in and out of poverty

Step-by-step Choices with Levels

Q: China vows to fight a tough battle against poverty and lift all the impoverished population out of poverty by 2020. So far, China still has about 832 poor counties. What measures will you take to help them get rid of the poverty tag?

A: We are determined to make a change and we are planning to do so. By adopting some poverty combating mechanisms, China aims to drive all the cities' anti-poverty initiatives. The anti-driving mechanism of poverty reduction may be the driving force in anti-poverty efforts under the current system in China. What's more, the motivation mechanism is also an important means to stimulate the activeness of the poor in poverty reduction. We promise that the one who first rose from poverty will still enjoy the advantages of being poor during the five years. In the end, I want to emphasize that we should exert our efforts to do so and hold accountability for those who abuse their poverty or fail to perform their duties. We should not take a wait-and-see approach to poverty reduction. It is urgent for us to take action right now.

Q: What's your idea about those who vie for being tagged with "high-poverty counties"?

A: I think it is something related to "vanity projects" and it is only of benefit to local officials with more pro-poor subsidies allocated from the central government. Infrastructure construction, such as building railroads in some underprivileged areas, is sometimes linked to a 'costly vanity project,' a necessity for local officials to strive to gain face. However, those face jobs do not help local residents rise from poverty in reality.

Q: Is there any change on official assessment when China's government prepares its future poverty reduction strategy?

A: Of course, we will make some adjustments. Previously, many cities and counties are adherent to per capital Gross Domestic Product (GDP) as a performance metric for government officials, thus linking it to local officials' promotions, while many poor residents don't benefit from it. Therefore, the locals have no way to rise from poverty.

Nowadays, some underprivileged counties even drop GDP as a performance metric, in a bid to shift the focus to environmental protection and the reduction of poverty.

Furthermore, the Organization Department of the Communist Party of China (CPC), along with the LGOPAD, makes joint efforts to poverty reduction.

Q: What role does the Organization Department of the CPC play in China's anti-poverty efforts?

A: The Organization Department of the CPC plays an important role in official promotion during poverty reduction while implementing punishment and reward in the public goods game.

Q: How could various ministries and commissions under the State Council cooperate with each other, as they are responsible for different events and actions related to poverty reduction? How could the central government value their performance in terms of their different duties?

A: In fact, we value their performance that relies on the results and policies rather than financial assistance for pro-poor growth. For example, have the local ministries and commissions implemented the pro-poor policies? Are those policies much more practical or applicable?

In addition, we urge them to implement the policies required by the central government and check their work using different levels.

As for financial and material support, we ensure that the impoverished can fulfill their fully funded project. That means if there is not enough money the project will not be made. What's more, we will provide unsecured loans for farmers who plan to borrow 50,000 yuan (U.S. $7,685) and the key is to arouse local fervor for poverty reduction and development.

Local ministries and commissions are responsible for helping them to initiate the projects with enough money provided.

Q: China is beefing up its fixed-point poverty alleviation during the 13th five-year plan period, when a decisive battle for the victory of the war against poverty will be fought. Does it mean that the fixed-point poverty alleviation should be carried out by both government institutions and state-owned enterprises (SOEs)? Are the government institutions and the SOEs judged by the same standard used to judge other factors regarding anti-poverty efforts?

A: Obviously, we use the same standard to judge all the government institutions and enterprises, despite the fact that fixed-point poverty alleviation has been an effective way for the departments of the central authorities to participate in poverty relief. Also, the SOEs may contribute more financial support while taking their earnings into consideration.

Q: In recent years, the SOEs have contributed less to poverty relief work when compared to private enterprises. Taking Dalian Wanda Group Co., Ltd. for an example, which has devoted a great amount of effort toward poverty relief in Danzhai County in southwest China's Guizhou Province (a poverty-dense area in China), as it tops China's commercial property industry and remains the world's largest cinema chain operator. This is also the same case for Guangzhou Evergrande Taobao Football Club, a professional Chinese football club, with its strong ties and contributions to Dafang County also in Guizhou.

A: In fact, there are some top business tycoons in China who engage in private enterprises and serve poverty relief work, such as, Xu Jiayin, president of Guangzhou Evergrande, and Wang Jianlin, chairperson of Wanda Group. It is widely recognized that the SOEs generally earn less than some private enterprises. Amid the slowing growth and declining operating income of its largest SOEs, China is attempting to reform the state-owned sector while continuing to maintain its momentum in anti-poverty work. Currently, with the help of 68 SOEs, China has addressed the water and electricity challenges of 108 counties in poverty-stricken areas.

As far as I am concerned, everyone who cares for poverty relief work is dedicated to China's anti-poverty campaign. China's resolution to end extreme poverty is shared by countless people and organizations.

Q: Who will be the leading force in China's anti-poverty campaign?

A: The Chinese government and Communist Party 0f China will remain the main powers in propelling the poorest out of poverty. In other countries, humanitarian organizations or charitable organizations, mostly, provide disaster relief and anti-poverty efforts.

Q: How about non-governmental organization (NGO) participation in China's anti-poverty efforts?

A: China keeps its channel open to NGO's when they are dedicated to poverty relief work. Recently, the LGOPAD has gotten ready to launch a volunteer-based online anti-poverty strategy consultation, bridging the communication gap between developed and underdeveloped areas and tapping the potential of committed supporters.