On November 3, 2013, Chinese President Xi Jinping inspected Shibadong Village in Xiangxi Tujia and Miao Autonomous Prefecture where he put forward the guideline for targeted poverty alleviation. Since then, Hunan Province has shouldered the responsibility as the birthplace of this guideline, and has made concerted efforts to win the battle against poverty. Hunan has achieved the goal of building a moderately prosperous society in all respects on schedule.
In 2017, Shibadong Village took the lead in eradicating poverty throughout the whole village. The villagers' lives have notably improved. The photo shows Shibadong villagers singing and dancing together.
Hunan Province has worked solidly to help the poor by improving education. Fiscal support of 8.995 billion yuan has been invested in constructing the "Lotus Schools" in poor regions. The photo shows students practicing rope skipping at a Lotus School in Dongkou County.
In light of the requirements of "Five Measures for Poverty Alleviation", Hunan has invested 45.998 billion yuan in relocating poor people from inhospitable areas. 187,000 houses have been built, and 694,000 poor people have been relocated. The photo shows a relocation site in the Baishuidong Village, Xinshao County.
The "Five Measures for Poverty Eradication" include: boosting the economy to provide more job opportunities, relocating poor people from inhospitable areas, compensating for economic losses associated with reducing ecological damage, improving education in impoverished areas, and providing subsistence allowances for those unable to shake off poverty through their own efforts alone.
Planting, Miao embroidery, rural tourism, and other featured industries have been boosted based on local conditions, to change the poverty alleviation modal from mainly relying on external support like a blood transfusion to a more sustained effort from self-motivation. A pathway to eliminating poverty and getting prosperous has taken shape, featuring booming industries, favorable infrastructure, high standards, good guarantees, and happy life. The photo shows embroiderers producing Miao embroideries at a farmers' specialized cooperative in Shibadong Village, Paibi Township (today's Shuanglong Town), Huayuan County.
Transportation is the top priority among the seven major aspects of poverty alleviation. Hunan has expended 225.075 billion yuan on enhancing transportation infrastructure construction in impoverished regions. So far, 36,000 administrative villages have access to highways, which laid a solid foundation for eliminating poverty on schedule. The photo shows a highway winding along cliffs at Lashu Village, Cili County.
Different measures were taken for different individuals and households. Agricultural sectors with local characteristics have been developed to boost rural revitalization. The photo shows a standardized agricultural science and technology demonstration park in Changputang Village, Fenghuang County.
Featured industries were developed based on local conditions to promote rural tourism and consolidate and expand the achievements made in poverty alleviation in coordination with the extensive drive for rural vitalization. A scene of rural revitalization with flourishing industries, prosperous lives, and a favorable ecological environment was presented. The photo shows a village specialized in daylily planting in Huangtupu Town, Qidong County.
The poverty alleviation goal has been achieved on schedule, with 51 counties, 6,920 villages, and 6.82 million rural residents that fell below the current poverty line have been lifted out of poverty. The food and clothing needs of these people are guaranteed, and their access to compulsory education, essential medical services, safe housing and drinking water is ensured. The photo shows villagers celebrating the Chinese Spring Festival at Chuanyanshan Village, Xupu County.
Hunan Province has made positive efforts to explore the micro-credit mode, to boost poverty alleviation via financial means. The photo shows impoverished farmers in Yizhang County developing the tea industry with micro-credit support.
This article is from the Hunan Provincial Government www.enghunan.gov.cn.
Translator: Pang Yuehui
Chinese source: Voice of Hunan
