By Peng Fei

The fifth session of the Indonesian Rural Cadre Training Program recently concluded, with 26 participants visiting east China’s Shandong province. During the visit, Zeki Hamzah, the village head of Tepian Langsat in East Kalimantan, Indonesia, remarked, “The experience here demonstrated that combined efforts among the government, village-run enterprises, cooperatives, and residents can create a virtuous cycle of economic development, social stability, and public well-being.”

Launched in 2019, the Indonesian Rural Cadre Training Program facilitates annual exchanges by bringing 20 to 30 village heads to China. Now in its fifth edition, the program has invigorated rural development and poverty reduction efforts in Indonesia. A key attraction for these delegations is the proven effectiveness of China’s “targeted poverty alleviation” strategy, which has garnered international recognition.

Poverty governance remains a global challenge, particularly for developing nations. In November 2013, during an inspection of Shibadong village in Hunan province, Chinese President Xi Jinping introduced the concept of “targeted poverty alleviation.” This approach emphasizes tailoring policies to local conditions, accurately identifying impoverished households, deploying resources efficiently, and implementing household-specific measures supported by village-based officials. These practices have significantly improved the efficacy of poverty reduction initiatives.

Today, the concept of targeted poverty alleviation has been incorporated into UN General Assembly documents. Its methodologies, such as establishing poverty registries and assigning resident village officials, have been adopted or referenced by multiple countries.

Targeted efforts are central to China’s success and are now regarded as a model worthy of in-depth analysis. More than just a policy tool, this approach represents a strategic mindset epitomized by the adage, “using the right key for the right lock.”

When China initially launched its national poverty registration system, approximately 30 percent of identified households were inaccurately classified. However, through the development of a centralized poverty alleviation information platform and ongoing data verification, China succeeded in building a precise, actionable database. This digital infrastructure significantly enhanced the accuracy and effectiveness of its initiatives.

These efforts also underscore China’s institutional strength, especially its capacity for seamless coordination across all levels of governance. In Luhua township, Qinghai province, an embroidery workshop established to boost local women’s incomes exemplifies the integration of multiple mechanisms, including poverty alleviation relocation, east-west collaboration, and industrial development.

The transformation of targeted poverty alleviation from a conceptual framework into tangible outcomes has been enabled by well-coordinated institutional arrangements and robust mobilization capabilities. Such precision is essential for translating institutional strengths into effective governance. Whether building a unified national market, mitigating external risks through calibrated macroeconomic regulation, or addressing environmental challenges, precision remains key.

Targeted efforts reflect a long-term commitment. Grand visions are realized through incremental, focused actions. Han Yunan, an official assigned to Qianhe village in Henan province, played a pivotal role in guiding his community toward prosperity. Beyond overseeing projects, he raised funds and facilitated the establishment of local factories. At the villagers’ request, he extended his tenure five times. Over a decade of dedicated service, the village’s per capita annual income grew from just over 1,300 yuan ($183.83) to more than 18,000 yuan today.

China’s targeted poverty alleviation approach offers valuable lessons and forward-looking guidance for the international community. By maintaining strategic resolve while attending to both broad goals and granular details, China continues to make meaningful progress in its pursuit of modernization, contributing Chinese insights and solutions to global development challenges.

Source: People’s Daily