Mr. Yang Zhi, Mayor of Jingzhou, China
Eradicating Poverty - We Are Acting
Speech at the United Nations High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development
Excellencies,
Distinguished Delegates,
Chairman,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
I
~r. YangZbi
11 July 2017, United Nations Headquarters
I come from Jingzhou, China. It is a great honour to be here today to share with you the
experiences about poverty eradication.
"Poverty Impedes Development". Ending poverty, improving people's livelihoods and
achieving common prosperity are prerequisites to build a prosperous society of China. On behalf of
the Chinese government, President Xi Jinping made a solemn promise to the world in 2015, China
will lift 70 million the most impoverished population out of poverty by 2020.
Over the years, in obedience to the instructions of President Xi, we made great progress on
the targeted poverty alleviation programs, which were focused on precise targets, with accurate
arrangement and precise use of funds. By the end of 2016, the impoverished population in Jingzhou,
who are under the absolute poverty level (annual income below $650) dropped to 156,587 from
409,856, and the reduction rate reached to 61.8%.
To end poverty, boosting confidence are put in ti,e first place. The impoverished population
is not only the object of poverty eradication but also the main force to become prosperous. Their
active participation is the key. I used to work in Wuling and Dabie Mountain Area, where China's
most impoverished population is concentrated. I was not only concerned about their tough life but
also about their lack of confidence. After I was dispatched to Jingzhou, my priority was to actively
advocate the targeted poverty alleviation programs. I presented successful cases by means of news
broadcasts, village town hall meetings and in-person communications. We made every endeavor to
boost their confidence and empower themselves to proactively take initiatives.
To end poverty, it is essential to establis/1 a mec!,anism of joint cooperatio11 among all
sectors of society. An important characteristic of poverty alleviation in China is to widely mobilize
all sectors of society. Poverty reduction is the first responsibility for senior managers. At present, we
have 1,545 working groups in Jingzhou, at all government levels with 4,900 staff, accounting for
15% of the total civil servants. I am assisting an impoverished farmer in Zaolin Village, Mashan
Township. His name is Luo Daquan. I encouraged them to raise crayfish in rice field, through which
his household annual income increased by $2,900 last year. A synergetic mechanism among
"Government-Market-Society" was well established with integrated resources and joint efforts.
1
To end poverty, we put great efforts 011 improving infrastructure. We relentlessly increased
infrastructure investment, by enhancing the central water supply system to ensure a 100% safety of
drinking water. We upgraded the power grid to secure stable and reliable voltage. We strengthened
social protection systems and granted medical coverage for people living in poverty. In recent two
years, we raised RMB 400 million to improve school facilities in small villages, and invested largely
in faculty training, which aims to give every child access to good education. This will eventually stop
the intergenerational transmission of poverty.
To end poverty, i11creasing income is the founding pillar. Development is the key to solve all .
social problems and it is the most effective solution to end poverty. We helped the poor areas focus
on industrial development. My government contributed RMB ISO million for the construction of218
distributed PV power stations in 300 poverty-stricken villages, so that each village has an annual net
income of RMB 50,000. In recent years, we advanced the e-commerce network so village people can
sell goods via Alibaba, the e-commerce company. At present in Jingzhou, 1,003 peasant households
have lifted themselves out of poverty through e-commerce, accounting for 10% of the total out-ofpoverty
households.
To end poverty, government takes tl1e ultimate responsibility. For those people who are fully
or p~rtially deprived oflabour ability, the government provided them all with the lowest living
allowance to ensure no one is left behind. We also improved the short-term aids program. In some
lake and mountainous regions of fragile ecosystem, the government invested RMB 480 million to
relocate 2,416 impoverished households.
Ladies, gentlemen and friends,
With the guidance of the central and provincial governments, the Municipal Government of
Jingzhou City has endeavoured to end poverty in all its forms. Even though there are still some
difficulties facing us ahead, such as likelihood of re-entering poverty again after exit and
government's financial obligations, we are confident that millions of people will escape poverty and
improve their livelihoods on schedule.
Thank you all.
2
Speech at the United Nations High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development
Excellencies,
Distinguished Delegates,
Chairman,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
I
~r. YangZbi
11 July 2017, United Nations Headquarters
I come from Jingzhou, China. It is a great honour to be here today to share with you the
experiences about poverty eradication.
"Poverty Impedes Development". Ending poverty, improving people's livelihoods and
achieving common prosperity are prerequisites to build a prosperous society of China. On behalf of
the Chinese government, President Xi Jinping made a solemn promise to the world in 2015, China
will lift 70 million the most impoverished population out of poverty by 2020.
Over the years, in obedience to the instructions of President Xi, we made great progress on
the targeted poverty alleviation programs, which were focused on precise targets, with accurate
arrangement and precise use of funds. By the end of 2016, the impoverished population in Jingzhou,
who are under the absolute poverty level (annual income below $650) dropped to 156,587 from
409,856, and the reduction rate reached to 61.8%.
To end poverty, boosting confidence are put in ti,e first place. The impoverished population
is not only the object of poverty eradication but also the main force to become prosperous. Their
active participation is the key. I used to work in Wuling and Dabie Mountain Area, where China's
most impoverished population is concentrated. I was not only concerned about their tough life but
also about their lack of confidence. After I was dispatched to Jingzhou, my priority was to actively
advocate the targeted poverty alleviation programs. I presented successful cases by means of news
broadcasts, village town hall meetings and in-person communications. We made every endeavor to
boost their confidence and empower themselves to proactively take initiatives.
To end poverty, it is essential to establis/1 a mec!,anism of joint cooperatio11 among all
sectors of society. An important characteristic of poverty alleviation in China is to widely mobilize
all sectors of society. Poverty reduction is the first responsibility for senior managers. At present, we
have 1,545 working groups in Jingzhou, at all government levels with 4,900 staff, accounting for
15% of the total civil servants. I am assisting an impoverished farmer in Zaolin Village, Mashan
Township. His name is Luo Daquan. I encouraged them to raise crayfish in rice field, through which
his household annual income increased by $2,900 last year. A synergetic mechanism among
"Government-Market-Society" was well established with integrated resources and joint efforts.
1
To end poverty, we put great efforts 011 improving infrastructure. We relentlessly increased
infrastructure investment, by enhancing the central water supply system to ensure a 100% safety of
drinking water. We upgraded the power grid to secure stable and reliable voltage. We strengthened
social protection systems and granted medical coverage for people living in poverty. In recent two
years, we raised RMB 400 million to improve school facilities in small villages, and invested largely
in faculty training, which aims to give every child access to good education. This will eventually stop
the intergenerational transmission of poverty.
To end poverty, i11creasing income is the founding pillar. Development is the key to solve all .
social problems and it is the most effective solution to end poverty. We helped the poor areas focus
on industrial development. My government contributed RMB ISO million for the construction of218
distributed PV power stations in 300 poverty-stricken villages, so that each village has an annual net
income of RMB 50,000. In recent years, we advanced the e-commerce network so village people can
sell goods via Alibaba, the e-commerce company. At present in Jingzhou, 1,003 peasant households
have lifted themselves out of poverty through e-commerce, accounting for 10% of the total out-ofpoverty
households.
To end poverty, government takes tl1e ultimate responsibility. For those people who are fully
or p~rtially deprived oflabour ability, the government provided them all with the lowest living
allowance to ensure no one is left behind. We also improved the short-term aids program. In some
lake and mountainous regions of fragile ecosystem, the government invested RMB 480 million to
relocate 2,416 impoverished households.
Ladies, gentlemen and friends,
With the guidance of the central and provincial governments, the Municipal Government of
Jingzhou City has endeavoured to end poverty in all its forms. Even though there are still some
difficulties facing us ahead, such as likelihood of re-entering poverty again after exit and
government's financial obligations, we are confident that millions of people will escape poverty and
improve their livelihoods on schedule.
Thank you all.
2