The International Forum on Poverty Governance and Development Towards Modernization was held in Nujiang Lisu Autonomous Prefecture, Yunnan Province on May 18. Over 150 guests from 18 countries and four international organizations attended the forum, discussing China’s experience in poverty reduction and eradication. China International Publishing Group (CIPG) was one of the sponsors of this forum. The following are excerpts of speeches and comments made by guests at the forum. 

Guo Weimin, former Vice Minister of the State Council Information Office, President of China Public Relations Association 

What happened in Nujiang was typical of China's poverty alleviation practice and embodied Chinese expertise in the field. China and other countries need to refine this experience and discuss how the world can emulate China's achievements. 

International cooperation needs to be strengthened and countries need to be actively involved in the UN poverty reduction cooperation mechanism, and contribute to realizing the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. 

José Luis Gioja, Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives of Argentina 

Poverty reduction is a global challenge, but poverty is not invincible. Poverty eradication is a shared mission, not only for all governments but also for all humanity. 

I would like to highlight the joint efforts of the Chinese people and government. They have not only lifted [hundreds of] millions of people out of extreme poverty but have also shared their experience, knowledge, methods as a reference for other countries. 

China’s new method of managing poverty is globally significant. A series of guidelines and strategies, such as “targeted poverty alleviation” and “supporting both the will and the wisdom” are all vivid illustrations of the scientific nature and advantages of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era. 

Over the past five years, the Justicialist Party of Argentina and the Communist Party of China (CPC) have worked together to exchange experience and deepen political relations. During my term as President of the Justicialist Party, I have witnessed the synergy between the two parties. Today the PJ and the CPC complement each other not only at the party level but also in the work of the government, forming a comprehensive strategic partnership. 

Du Zhanyuan, President of CIPG 

The success [of poverty alleviation in China] shows the superiority of China's path and system for improving people's wellbeing and promoting common prosperity. Its success has also furthered the global poverty reduction cause. 

We should draw strength from the effective practices of other countries to promote sustainable development and work together to build a better world. 

Korn Dabbaransi, Former Deputy Prime Minister of Thailand, President of the Thai-Chinese Friendship Association  

Last year, despite the hardships posed by the pandemic, China managed to achieve its goal of poverty alleviation as planned, which is a miracle in the history of poverty reduction.  

As is known to all, poverty eradication is an uphill battle for the whole world. Despite differences in cultures and languages, all countries in the world are facing the same daunting task of poverty eradication.     

China and Thailand have been carrying out pragmatic cooperation since the establishment of the Lancang-Mekong Cooperation Mechanism in 2015. In recent years, Thailand has dispatched several missions composed of leaders, experts and scholars to China in order to learn the best practices of poverty alleviation. I have paid many visits to Yunnan and have seen with my own eyes the transformative changes taking place in recent years. With targeted poverty alleviation, effectiveness and efficiency have been greatly enhanced. I am impressed by the adoption of modern information and communication technology in poverty alleviation. Training on e-commerce has been provided to farmers so that they are able to use the Internet both for better access to market information and to improve revenue through increased sales opportunities for their produce.  

These are all valuable lessons that developing countries including Thailand can learn from the Chinese experience. 

Ban Wei, Deputy Director of the Editor-in-Chief’s Office, Xinhua News Agency 

Poverty alleviation in China has gone beyond the established theories of classic textbooks, and China's eradication of absolute poverty on such a large scale is a first in history.  

China's successful poverty alleviation practices have given birth to a new field we call "Chinese Poverty Alleviation Studies." The Studies aim to explain China's poverty alleviation practices through the principles of political economy.  

Combatting poverty is a global and millennium challenge. Its theoretical undertakings will never end. We hope that the Studies will stimulate more creative thinking and academic exchange to deliver more balanced and inclusive development in the world and inspire countries to work together in their arduous efforts to eradicate poverty under the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. 

Siddharth Chatterjee, UN Resident Coordinator 

The World Bank estimates that by the end of 2021, up to 150 million people will have been pushed back into extreme poverty as a result of the pandemic. Thankfully, China has succeeded in slowing the virus’s spread through its very robust public health response.  

And despite the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, China went on in 2020 to execute one of the greatest achievements of economic development in history. China’s targeted poverty alleviation efforts were carried out on schedule and transformed the lives of nearly 100 million people from rural poverty over the last seven years. This demonstrates the importance of the political will showcased by President Xi Jinping and the Chinese Government. 

We must turn our attention to sharing China’s development miracle with the world, especially with those on the African continent. Whether in its manufacturing, infrastructure, or agricultural sector or its open markets, China’s poverty reduction experience is worth learning from.  

Africa’s population will grow to 2.5 billion by 2050. By this time, 2 in 5 of the world’s children will be born there. Realizing these economic and demographic dividends requires China’s investments today. Now is the time to deepen our partnership for the shared development of China and Africa, and exchange resources, knowledge, and technical expertise, to build on China’s poverty reduction knowhow and create a win-win outcome for all.  

Copyedited by G.P. Wilson 　　  

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