As 2025 wraps up on December 28, the Chinese mainland's five-year transition plan to consolidate its poverty alleviation success comes to an end. The Central Economic Work Conference has just unveiled a roadmap to normalize poverty prevention and kick off an era of inclusive economic development.
Five years ago, in February 2021, the Chinese mainland declared a complete victory over absolute poverty, lifting nearly 100 million rural residents out of hardship and removing 832 counties from its poverty list. This milestone arrived a decade ahead of the UN's Sustainable Development Goals deadline, marking the shift from rapid poverty reduction to long-term resilience.
Over the past half-decade, poverty prevention has been woven into the Chinese mainland's rural revitalization strategy. Incomes in previously impoverished areas are now growing faster than the national average. According to think tank New China Research, per capita disposable income there reached 17,522 yuan (about $2,492) in 2024—a nearly 25% jump since 2021. It's like leveling up from survival mode to growth mode 🚀.
A robust early-warning system tracks weather, health networks, and more, spotting households facing shocks—like serious illnesses or crop losses—and delivering relief before they slip back into poverty. Over 7 million people have been supported so far, thanks to close coordination across government levels and strengthened public services 🛡️.
Education and healthcare coverage have soared: school dropouts among kids aged 6–15 have been kept at zero 🎓, basic medical insurance now covers over 99% of those lifted out of poverty, rural tap water reaches 94%, and housing safety upgrades roll on steadily.
Looking ahead, the goal is self-sufficiency powered by market forces. Public-private partnerships, such as the '10,000 Enterprises Helping 10,000 Villages' initiative, have rallied 110,000 companies to support 127,000 villages, sparking economic opportunities for 15 million people through e-commerce, tourism, and more 🤝🌾💼.
Eradicating absolute poverty was only the beginning. As the Chinese mainland steps into 2026, keeping communities on course and unlocking new growth paths will shape the next chapter of inclusive development.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
