Poverty relief achievement inspires countries, say experts

BEIJING: For Jeffrey Sachs, one of the world’s leading experts in the fight against poverty, China’s declaration of “complete victory” in eradicating extreme poverty should inspire the whole world.

President Xi Jinping announced on Thursday the victory at a gathering in Beijing to mark the country’s achievements in poverty reduction and honour its model poverty fighters.

Over the past eight years, the final 98.99 million impoverished rural residents living under the country’s poverty line have bid farewell to poverty.

“China’s success should inspire the world to work together to end extreme poverty, drawing on China’s experience, including massive investments in education, public health and advanced infrastructure,” said Sachs, a professor at Columbia University who served as special adviser to former UN secretaries-general Kofi Annan and Ban Ki-moon.

He stressed that it’s a time for global cooperation in a great cause that will benefit all of humanity.

“I hope that China, the European Union and the United States will work together harmoniously and productively in this effort, including investments in 5G, renewable energy and other cutting-edge technologies for the benefit of the poor,” said Sachs.

In Russia, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov applauded China’s feat in eradicating poverty.

“China is a big country with a large population.

“Although the coronavirus has brought difficulties to economic and social development, China managed to maintain a forward trend successfully,” he said.

Bernard Dewit, chairperson of the Belgian-Chinese Chamber of Commerce, said it’s “uplifting” to hear the news when the world is haunted by the pandemic, climate change and wars in some countries.

“This is a source of hope for many countries and regions affected by poverty,” he said, adding that Europe and China should join hands to help those who need it. — China Daily/ANN