In Ningxia, China, an international seminar convened leaders, scholars, and policymakers to examine the country’s success in eradicating extreme poverty and to extract lessons for developing nations.
Professor Peter Kagwanja, head of the Africa Policy Institute, emphasized that China’s elimination of absolute poverty proves that such conditions are not inevitable for Global South countries.
The event, titled “Path to Modernization: Takeaways from China’s Theory and Practice in Poverty Alleviation,” marked 105 years of the ruling party and five years since the country declared poverty eradicated.
Kagwanja noted that over four decades, more than 800 million people were lifted out of poverty, representing more than 70 percent of global poverty reduction and surpassing the United Nations target a decade early.
Delegates visited poverty‑relief projects in Gansu and Ningxia, observing villages transformed into thriving agricultural, tourism, and industrial hubs.
The final campaign under the current leadership targeted 14 impoverished regions, 832 counties, and 128,000 villages, freeing nearly 99 million rural residents from extreme poverty by 2020.
When leadership took office in 2012, almost 100 million people still lived in severe poverty, requiring a lift of 10 million each year—or 20 individuals every minute—to meet the goal.
Success was attributed to decisive political direction, focused poverty‑alleviation programs, extensive infrastructure spending, and a nationwide mobilization of officials and communities.
Officials highlighted the commitment to shared prosperity and the willingness to share China’s development experience with the world.
Participants stressed the importance of targeted interventions that concentrate resources on the poorest regions, counties, and households.
A representative from Nepal underscored that determined leadership, coupled with infrastructure development, can replicate China’s achievements.
Roads, electricity, schools, and healthcare facilities were cited as catalysts that opened previously isolated communities to economic growth.
The rural revitalization program was praised as a model for sustaining gains after poverty elimination.
A Zimbabwean political leader expressed admiration for the holistic approach in Ningxia, noting the transformation of once‑impoverished communities into vibrant economic centers.
The paired assistance program linking wealthier eastern regions with less-developed western provinces was highlighted for accelerating development and reducing poverty through shared expertise and resources.
Attendees agreed that blending economic growth with targeted measures ensures vulnerable populations are not left behind.
Kagwanja urged stronger cooperation between China and Africa, calling for the full implementation of initiatives such as the Belt and Road Initiative, the Global Development Initiative, and a forthcoming action plan for African development.
He also advocated increased investment in infrastructure, clean energy, food production, digital education, and tourism as key drivers of poverty reduction in Africa.
The proposed zero‑tariff policy for African exports was presented as a mechanism to create new development opportunities and reduce poverty across the continent.
The seminar, jointly organized by national and regional committees, continues efforts to disseminate China’s development experience to countries throughout the Global South.
