China-aided pilot project of poverty reduction launched in Myanmar

Myanmar Minister of Agriculture, Livestock and Irrigation Aung Thu(2nd R) and Chinese Ambassador Hong Liang(2nd L) unveil during a launching ceremony of a China-aided project in Nay Pyi Taw, Myanmar, Feb. 1, 2018. A China-aided pilot project of poverty reduction was launched here on Thursday, with a view to improving the infrastructure of villages and raising the level of public services and self-development capacity in Myanmar. (Xinhua/U Aung)

A China-aided pilot project of poverty reduction was launched here on Thursday, with a view to improving the infrastructure of villages and raising the level of public services and self-development capacity in Myanmar.

The three-year project, which was jointly launched by China's International Poverty Reduction Center (IPRCC) and Department of Rural Development under the Myanmar Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Irrigation, is implemented by the International Poverty Reduction and Development Center of China's southern Yunnan province.

Chinese Ambassador Hong Liang told the launching ceremony that the two countries signed an implementation agreement of the project in November 2017, which will be implemented in two villages -- Min Pyin village in Lewe township and Aye Chan Thar village in Tetgone township in Nay Pyi Taw.

The Chinese side hoped that through promotion of China's poverty reduction experience, Myanmar's rural infrastructure would be improved and the level of public services and self-development capacity of farmers be raised as a model.

Noting that China and Myanmar are jointly building the Belt and Road Initiative, Ambassador Hong said China would also like to make use of the cooperation mechanism to further the poverty reduction cooperation with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) members.

Myanmar Minister of Agriculture, Livestock and Irrigation Aung Thu said the project opened a new chapter in the existing strategic partnership of the two countries.

He pointed out Myanmar ranked 9th out of 10 ASEAN countries in poverty trend. In terms of the ranking of the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectorial Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) countries, Myanmar also stood at 6th out of seven countries, indicating that Myanmar has to do much for rural development and poverty reduction.

He stressed that poverty is the root cause of instability, hindering the development of a country.

Noting that China has helped millions of poor people out of poverty, he believed that through the implementation of the project, good practice and valuable experience of poverty alleviation can be replicated in Myanmar's poverty reduction efforts.

The project includes building road and water supply facilities, supporting village industry such as planting and breeding, undertaking community environment management and providing technical assistance for development and capacity building.