China's achievements in the anti-poverty cause have been
impressive. A pledge to consistently push forward poverty
alleviation policies has made us confident that the now
impoverished population will soon lead better lives, said an
editorial in People's Daily. An excerpt follows:
China announced its first batch of recipients of the China Poverty
Eradication Award on October 17, International Day for the
Eradication of Poverty. Eighteen institutions and individuals were
honored for their tremendous contributions to China's anti-poverty
campaign. This suggests that the poverty-relief cause has become
more important in the pantheon of policy issues in China.
The Chinese Government and the people have paid unremitting and
enduring efforts to fight poverty. During the anti-poverty campaign
from 1978 to 2003, China hauled 220 million people out of abject
poverty. The percentage of poor among the rural population also
dropped to 3.1 percent from 30.7 percent. Poverty reduction has
been achieved on a scale unprecedented in human history. Despite
all the achievements, we should keep a clear eye of the challenges
ahead. At the moment, the poor are only guaranteed some basic
living needs for food, shelter and clothing. Yet there is still a
long and arduous journey ahead before these needy people will be
able to lead a more decent life.
In the past four years, China's reduction of poverty has actually
slowed down. As most of the poor are dotted in some scarcely
populated places with the least favorable natural conditions, it is
harder to climb out and harder to measure how much has been
achieved so far. China should take advantage of current
achievements, providing more financial support and encouraging more
cooperation between government officials and people at the grass
roots.
(China Daily October 19, 2004)