Xi Jinping declares extreme poverty has been wiped out in China
- President says 850 million people have been lifted out of destitution in an ‘unprecedented accomplishment’
- Beijing’s success in fighting poverty has been pegged to the country’s ambitious economic reform
In a speech at a ceremony in Beijing on Thursday to commend poverty fighters, broadcast live on state television, Xi said his signature campaign to improve livelihoods had added 100 million people to the total during his eight years in power.
“There is no other country that could achieve such remarkable poverty alleviation progress within such a short time,” he said.
04:59
Xi Jinping declares ‘complete victory’ in China’s anti-poverty campaign, but some still left behind
China’s success in fighting poverty has been pegged to its ambitious economic reform, and comes as the nation is recovering ahead of other global powers from the Covid-19 pandemic amid open tensions with the United States.
He was speaking ahead of the annual parliamentary meetings known as the “two sessions” next week, when Beijing will unveil a detailed road map for medium-term growth, eyeing more reliance on domestic consumption. The party is also getting ready to celebrate its 100th anniversary this year.
