China's extraordinary economic transformation over the past 75 years has reshaped global development discussions. Since the 1980s, China has lifted over 800 million people out of poverty, a feat hailed by many observers as one of the most significant achievements in human development.
While much attention has been focused on China's domestic poverty alleviation efforts, the country's impact on poverty reduction extends far beyond its borders. Through development financing, infrastructure investment, and knowledge transfer, China has emerged as a key player in international poverty alleviation, particularly in Africa, Southeast Asia, and Latin America.
At the core of China's poverty alleviation strategy is the belief in fostering development through peaceful means, an idea rooted in millennia of Chinese thought. While China's political system and governing ideology have evolved, its fundamental approach to global poverty alleviation has been consistent: build partnerships through mutual respect, and avoid the use of force or dominance. This guiding principle is reflected in China's foreign policy, which emphasizes peace, development, and mutual benefit.
China's international poverty alleviation strategy reflects the belief that development should be customized to each country's needs. Rejecting a one-size-fits-all model, China recognizes that each nation has its own historical, cultural, and social conditions that shape its path to progress.
Central to China's global poverty alleviation strategy is the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), launched in 2013. The BRI, which now includes over 150 countries, aims to build infrastructure that facilitates trade and economic development, with poverty alleviation as a core goal. By connecting marginalized regions to global markets and services, China hopes to create conditions that foster sustainable development and reduce inequality.
Chinese officials have framed the BRI as a global public good, with President Xi Jinping highlighting its potential to promote shared prosperity. Infrastructure projects like roads, railways, and ports can catalyze poverty reduction by increasing access to opportunities and resources.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
