Battle against Poverty: Marching forward Together

Published: July 24,2023

By Staff writer

On July 19, Chinese and African experts held a one day seminar on Poverty Alleviation. Participants discussed China’s experience of poverty alleviation and its relevance for Africa. 

In February 2021, President Xi Jinping announced that extreme poverty in China had been eradicated, in what he called a miracle. President Xi announced that “through the combined efforts of the whole Party and the entire nation, China has secured a complete victory in its fight against poverty in this important year.”

Mr. Jin Songbao, a former diplomat has spent more than two years working with people in Wujiazhai village; Jinping County, Yunnan Province shared his experience. His testimony shows that in the journey to win poverty, there must be some who make sacrifices by moving from their comfort zones to help out in poor rural areas. 

Below is the testimony Mr. Jin Songbao shared with the seminar participants. 

Hello everyone. 

It’s my pleasure to be part of today’s discussion. Two years ago, I was a diplomat at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Now I am the first secretary and captain of the resident work team in a village. You may be wondering why my role has shifted from a diplomat to a rural worker. 

In 2021, China had secured a complete victory in its fight against absolute poverty. However the foundation of victory in some areas is not solid and stable. After 2021 to help people that have been lifted out of poverty to achieve better and faster development, the central government has decided to continue to send work teams to relevant poverty-stricken areas. Not only the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, but all other ministries, state-owned enterprises, universities etc. have assigned work teams across the country. It was against this background that I was stationed in the village. Now my work team have 3 members. I am the captain, and the other two are from Yunnan Provincial Government. 

You may be interested in what we do in the village. I would say I am a witness, a participant and a contributor. Next I will demonstrate with PPT to share with you my practical experience of working at grassroots on poverty alleviation. 

So today I am a little bit like a reporter in a remote rural area on the front line. I Hope it will be a showcase for you to better understand China’s policies and efforts in the battle against poverty. 

Our job focuses on the following 5 aspects.

●To consolidate the results of poverty alleviation

●To improve the infrastructure

●To revitalize rural businesses and industries

●To improve governance at village level

●To serve the villagers wholeheartedly

●Firstly, although our country has won the battle against poverty, there is still a long way to go to consolidate the results of poverty alleviation. To this end, we visit some poor families quite often to ensure early detection, early intervention, and early assistance. Make sure they don’t fall back into poverty again.

In the pictures, the guy wearing glasses is me.

We have adopted a set of targeted policies tailored to individual household and people, so that we can address the root causes of poverty with precision.

At the moment all the farmers don’t need to worry about their basic needs on food and clothing. And we also make sure that they will get access to compulsory education, basic medical services, safe housing and clean drinking water.

Among them education remains top priority in our agenda. Because in the long run education can break the chain of inter-generational transmission of poverty. BTW, this year I’ve raised some money from my schoolmates for the poor students to continue their study in school.  

●Secondly, We try our best to improve the infrastructure. From The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, provincial and state governments we raised more than 2 million Chinese Yuan to pave the roads, renovate village clinic, open kids club, erect street lights, improve the environment, and continuously enhance people’s sense of gain, happiness and security. 

Recently I am in touch with a European transnational company which has branches in China, try to persuade them into donating some money to build a public toilet for our village. 

●Thirdly, the revitalization of rural businesses and industries play very important role in rural revitalization. 

We have tried our best to find economic crops such as fruits, flowers or medicinal herbs that can increase farmers’ income and at the same time beautify the countryside. Usually the government will provide funds for these kinds of projects. 

●Fourthly, to improve the level of governance at village level. We pay attention to the training of the members of local village committee. By holding regular meetings every week, the difficulties in the work are collectively studied and discussed, thus the working ability of village cadres is continuously improved. We also teach them how to use specific software and database on computer, and greatly improve the efficiency. 

Furthermore, we monitor local election and publicize some frequently-used laws and regulations to keep the village running in order.

●Lastly, to serve the villagers wholeheartedly in different ways. Our president Xi Jinping once said emotionally, “The country is the people, and the people are the country.” We always keep in mind that, in the people, the Party has its roots, its lifeblood, and its source of strength. 

We mediate farmers’ disputes, harvest the crops with them, and take their “little things” to heart and solve problems for them. We even work in evenings or on holidays. Although it is very hard work, what is gained is the satisfaction and trust of the farmers.   

The above are what we are doing in the village. 

To sum up, in my point of view, there are five reasons for China’s stunning achievements in poverty alleviation 

No.1, we have strong leadership of the Party with President Xi Jinping at the core.

No.2, we have targeted policies tailor-made for the poor people.

No.3, the government and society provide huge support on funds and resources.

No.4, we got strong task forces resident in rural areas.

No.5, the masses are fully mobilized.

Just one more thing. Not far from our village, there is a primary school donated by an African country called Equatorial Guinea. It’s a vivid example of collaboration in poverty reduction between China and African countries. In a sense, our achievement in poverty reduction not only belongs to China, but also belongs to the world. 

Through our joint efforts, I wish one day there would be no poverty on our planet. Everyone can live a happy and prosperous life.

Thank you.

Mr. Jin Songbao is the First Secretary, Captain of resident work Team in Wujiazhai village, Jinping County, Yunnan Province- China

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