Poverty seriously affects the quality of people's life and undermines their basic right to live.

Since the founding of the People's Republic of China, the country has made remarkable economic and social achievements, and achieved great progress in poverty alleviation. Since reform and opening-up, a total of 740 million people, more than the total population of Latin America, have been lifted out of poverty in China.

In the process, China has accumulated experience in poverty alleviation, which it is ready to share with other poor countries. However, some Western countries are prejudiced in their view that China achieved all this by seizing special opportunities. In their opinion, China took advantage of the transfer of the world production system to become a global factory. Also, they believe China utilized cheaper labor force to make its economy develop rapidly and its success is just an accidental phenomenon.

In my view, these scholars look at economic development in a mechanical way and misunderstand the logical relationship between economic development and poverty alleviation. Each era has its own opportunities for development, and economic growth does not necessarily lead to large-scale poverty reduction. Instead, it may lead to polarization and increase the relatively poor population.

Economic development is just part of China's success in poverty reduction. The concept of poverty reduction and the role the government played are also crucial. Developed countries boast of relatively mature economic and social models. The proportion of the poor population is decided and a sound comprehensive aid system established between the government, private sector and enterprises. China's experience in poverty reduction may have little reference for developed countries, but can be of great positive significance for a majority of developing countries. In my view, these countries should pay attention to the following points when it comes to poverty reduction.

First, they should unify the methods and goals for poverty alleviation. The ultimate goal of reducing poverty is to ensure basic living conditions for the people and improve their quality of life.

Before China's reform and opening up, poverty reduction was mainly achieved by improving people's overall living conditions. Although per capita income is relatively low by world standards, the people's quality of life has improved.

The "targeted poverty alleviation "work carried out by the Communist Party of China since the 18th National Congress emphasized on establishment of a long-term poverty alleviation mechanism to prevent returning to a state of poverty. Poverty alleviation cannot be solely achieved by offering material support like money, food or medicine. It is also necessary to build appropriate infrastructure to improve quality of life and their living capacity.

Second, they should address poverty problems in the development process.

We should increase investment in poverty reduction work in the development process, so that the impoverished can enjoy the dividend of growth. Also, polarization should be checked and social income distribution level should be rationally adjusted.

Third, a balance should be struck between the leading role played by the government and people's initiative. Due to the positive external significance of poverty alleviation work, the government is sparing no effort to promote the work.

To reduce poverty at the national level, it is necessary to make overall plans, coordinate the interests and relationships of all parties, and comprehensively utilize various resources. The government has advantages in these areas. Poverty reduction undertakings need a lot of financial support, and it is beneficial to use funds with the endorsement of government credit.

Smooth progress of poverty alleviation work requires a country to develop a detailed plan through the government, from the top to the bottom, and establish an effective monitoring feedback mechanism. They should also fully respect people's initiative, correctly treat people's innovation and exploration in the cause of poverty alleviation, and rationalize and legalize related experience with the help of the government. Only thus can we promote positive interactions, mobilize people's enthusiasm and ensure the success of poverty reduction undertakings.

China's experience in poverty alleviation is worth promoting for the benefit of other countries.

Developing countries should be able to reduce poverty through aid projects, which China has actively participated in, especially in Africa. With the help of China, many railways, highways, hospitals and other infrastructures have been built, which has greatly improved the living conditions of locals.

Developed countries often just offer material support to African countries. But China, by helping African countries promote their industries and improve their economic level, aims to help Africa fundamentally solve poverty problems. Through aid projects, China has brought advanced technologies and ideas to developing countries and established a bond of friendship with them. It is a direct way to promote China's poverty reduction experience.

China's poverty alleviation experience can be disseminated through China-led international organizations such as the Belt and Road Initiative and the Asian Investment Bank.

China has undergone dramatic changes in growth and is aware of the real needs of poverty alleviation in developing countries. However, it becomes difficult for China to promote its valuable ideas among international organizations, which are often led by Western countries.

But many new international organizations led by China, such as Forum on China-Africa Cooperation and Shanghai Cooperation Organization, can become platforms for China's voice to be heard. For instance, specialized poverty alleviation institutions can be established in these international organizations with the Chinese playing a vital role; a sub-forum on poverty reduction can be set up in international conferences to highlight Chinese experience and give more developing countries the opportunity to learn from China.

China's achievements in recent decades have attracted officials from many developing countries to have a careful study here. A systematic training can help these officials learn more about China's programs.

Also, special workshops combined with field work can help these officials understand the essence of China's poverty alleviation experience and better plan such undertakings in their own countries.

The author is an assistant researcher with the Institute of Economics, Chinese Academy of Social Sciences.

The author contributed this article to China Watch exclusively. The views expressed do not necessarily reflect those of China Watch.

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