China's Poverty Alleviation Practices: Consolidating Gains and Expanding Opportunities

A report by Xinhua Institute highlights China's key practices in consolidating poverty alleviation gains following its declaration of a "complete victory" in eradicating absolute poverty in 2021. The report emphasizes mechanisms to prevent a return to poverty, upgrading infrastructure, securing stable employment, developing specialty industries, and ensuring a robust safety net. These practices have ensured the continuity of poverty reduction policies and stability of assistance, enabling formerly poor areas to progress toward rural revitalization goals.

Following China's declaration of a "complete victory" in eradicating absolute poverty in 2021, the Xinhua Institute has released a report highlighting key practices in consolidating these gains. The report emphasizes mechanisms to prevent a return to poverty, upgrading infrastructure, securing stable employment, developing specialty industries, and ensuring a robust safety net.

The report underscores China's transition from absolute to relative poverty alleviation, where individual health status plays a critical role in sustainable development. A study published in the *Frontiers in Public Health* journal [1] found that improved health reduces the probability of relative poverty. This is achieved through increased employment participation and reduced medical expenditure burden. Health-induced income loss has a greater impact on relative poverty than direct medical costs, highlighting the importance of health interventions in poverty reduction strategies.

The report also discusses China's "Four Key Strategies" for successful poverty alleviation. The first strategy involves leveraging big data platforms for targeted poverty alleviation, enabling dynamic monitoring and tailored interventions. The second strategy focuses on building distinctive industrial clusters through industrial support, shifting poverty alleviation from short-term aid to sustainable growth. The third strategy emphasizes cultural support to uplift the cultural standards and aspirations of impoverished communities, fostering intrinsic momentum for sustainable development.

China's remarkable achievements in poverty alleviation are solid and long-lasting. The report notes that by 2025, per capita disposable income growth in formerly impoverished counties has outpaced the national rural average for four consecutive years. This demonstrates the continuity of poverty reduction policies and stability of assistance, enabling formerly poor areas to progress toward rural revitalization goals.

In conclusion, China's poverty alleviation strategies have shown significant success in consolidating gains and preventing a return to poverty. By focusing on health, employment, industry development, and cultural uplift, China is paving the way for sustainable rural revitalization.

References:
[1] https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/public-health/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2025.1606778/full