President Xi Jinping on March 6 stressed overcoming the impact of the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) to clinch a complete victory in the fight against poverty. 

Xi, also General Secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and Chairman of the Central Military Commission, made the remarks at a symposium on securing a decisive victory in poverty alleviation.

The following are highlights of what President Xi stresses at the meeting:

-- Lifting all rural residents living below the current poverty line out of poverty by 2020 is a solemn promise made by the CPC Central Committee, and it must be fulfilled on time;

-- Poverty alleviation is a tough battle that greater importance must be attached to in the final push;

-- Party committees and governments at all levels should advance the fight against poverty in greater determination and intensity, overcome the impact of the COVID-19 to clinch a complete victory in eradicating poverty and accomplish the great cause that is of tremendous importance both for the Chinese nation and humanity.

-- This symposium, the largest of its kind since the 18th CPC National Congress, is held to mobilize all resources to win the battle against poverty, and ensure that the target of eradicating poverty is met as planned so as to build a moderately prosperous society in all respects.

China's poverty alleviation tasks are near completion. Here are some facts:

-- The number of impoverished people fell to 5.51 million at the end of 2019 from nearly 100 million at the end of 2012;

-- The poverty headcount ratio dropped to 0.6 percent from 10.2 percent during the period, with regional overall poverty being basically eradicated.

-- Upon completion of the poverty eradication task this year, China will achieve the goals set in the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development 10 years ahead of schedule;

-- China's farewall to absolute poverty is of great significance to both China and the world, as no country in the world has ever lifted so many people out of poverty in such a short period of time;

-- The unprecedented achievements in poverty alleviation demonstrate the political advantages of the CPC leadership and the socialist system.

Villagers collect black fungus at a black fungus poverty alleviation base in Futai Village of Wuhe County, east China's Anhui Province, on March 11. The black fungus poverty alleviation base has helped 12 low-income households in the village get rid of poverty, adding 20,000 yuan ($2,877) on average to each household every year (XINHUA)

Farmers harvest carrots in Wangling Township of Binyang County, south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, on February 7 (XINHUA)

5.Workers examine inductors produced at a poverty alleviation workshop in Taoyuan County, central China's Hunan Province, on February 20. After taking sufficient measures of preventing the novel coronavirus, many production lines of the poverty alleviation workshop have resumed production (XINHUA)