POVERTY: China: Top political advisor calls for greater efforts to alleviate poverty

English.news.cn 2010-12-01
  (Xinhua/Ma Zhancheng)

Jia Qinglin (1st R), chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, shakes hands with a delegate as Jia meets with the participants of a members' meeting of China Association for Poverty Alleviation and Development, in Beijing, capital of China, Dec. 1, 2010.

BEIJING, Dec. 1 (Xinhua) -- Top Chinese political advisor Jia Qinglin Wednesday called for enhanced efficiency in alleviating poverty through development-oriented assistance.
Greater efforts should be made to help the poor shake off poverty and achieve prosperity as soon as possible, said Jia, chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), China's political advisory body.
He made the remarks when meeting representatives from a meeting of the China Association for Poverty Alleviation and Development.
Jia, also a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, said measures to fight poverty should suit local conditions.
"China will implement a series of poverty-reduction projects in the fields of education, health, employment and social security in some poverty-stricken regions," Jia said.
Efforts will be made to nurture industries suitable for poor areas while developing infrastructure, he said.
The official said all factors of society should be mobilized to join poverty-fighting efforts.
College students-turned village officials should be allowed to fully play their role in poverty alleviation work in underdeveloped areas, Jia said.
China, with its large population, weak economic foundations and imbalanced development, is not yet a rich country and its per capita GDP ranks about 100th in the world, according to authorities.
Since 1978, the number of Chinese living in absolute poverty has fallen by over 200 million, accounting for 75 percent of the total population of developing countries lifted out of poverty.
According to the CPC Central Committee's Proposal for Formulating the 12th Five-Year Program for China's Economic and Social Development (2011-2015), adopted in October, China will strive for more balanced regional development and urbanization over the next five years.
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