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Xi's poverty alleviation campaign
ChinaPolitics

China launches agency to cement gains against abject poverty

  • Creation of National Administration for Rural Revitalisation signals modernisation will be at centre of development in the countryside, observers say
  • Focus now on narrowing the rural-urban income divide and raising farmers’ incomes

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China is shifting focus to narrow the income gap between rural and urban areas. Photo: Xinhua
Amber Wang
China has created a new government body to cement its inroads against poverty and to promote development in rural areas.
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The agency, called the National Administration for Rural Revitalisation, was launched on the same day as President Xi Jinping declared that China had scored a “complete victory” in its fight against poverty.

“We must now consolidate our achievements and make sure that this is firmly connected with our rural revitalisation programme so that the fruits from our anti-poverty efforts can be sustained and remain solid,” Xi said on Thursday.

He said China had lifted roughly 99 million people out of absolute poverty in eight years – the period over which he has been in power.

04:59

Xi Jinping declares ‘complete victory’ in China’s anti-poverty campaign, but some still left behind

Xi Jinping declares ‘complete victory’ in China’s anti-poverty campaign, but some still left behind

The new agency takes over from the State Council Leading Group Office of Poverty Alleviation and Development, a group set up 35 years ago.

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According to an official statement, the administration will be headed by veteran agricultural official Wang Zhengpu. His two deputies are Hong Tianyun and Xia Gengsheng, both former vice-directors of the leading group office.

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