Govt eyes Beijing’s strategy on poverty

The government is interested in adopting China’s model of tackling poverty, said Deputy Prime Minister and Commerce Minister Jurin Laksanawisit yesterday.

The minister was speaking at a seminar on China’s economic evolution over the past seven decades, jointly organised by the Thai-Chinese Journalist Association (TCOJ), MCOT Plc, and the Chinese embassy in Bangkok.

“We Thais pay a great deal of attention to China’s development experience and economic successes,” he said.

Mr Jurin said only 1% of China’s population is now considered “poor”, after four decades in which Beijing managed to lift about 700 million people out of poverty.

“One indicator of China’s exceptional economic success is its leap in average per-capita income, which has surged 60-fold over the past 70 years,” he said.

“Seventy years ago, China’s average per-capita income stood at only 49.7 yuan [about 250 baht], but last year average income stood at 28,200 yuan.”

Mr Jurin said the increase translated into increased purchasing power, which has led to rising demand for raw materials, natural resources and energy, which in turn have bolstered trade and investment, and benefited the global economy.

“Now, close to half of all products used across the globe are made in China, which is why the country is considered the world’s largest industrial hub,” he said.

Speaking at the same forum, leader of the opposition Future Forward Party Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit said that although he admires China’s success, Beijing should make its trade policies more fair.

“China should not act like it can go anywhere and invest anywhere in the world, while imposing barriers and tariffs on those who seek access to its market,” he said.

“They should grow, and also be responsible at the same time.”