On May 25, 2021, the 6^th China Lecture was held at the China-Africa Institute (CAI) in Beijing. Co-sponsored by the CAI, University of Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (UCASS) and Center for Africa-China Studies of University of Johannesburg, the lecture focused on poverty alleviation in China, where three Chinese scholars, including Professor Wu Guobao from Rural Development Institute of Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (CASS), Dr. Deng Yanting and Dr. Zhang Mengying from the CAI were invited to give presentation on the topic. Presided over by Professor Wang Xiaoming, vice president of the CAI, the lecture was participated by more than 50 African scholars from countries including South Africa, Sierra Leon, and Nigeria online.

Professor Wu Guobao

Professor Wu pointed out in his presentation that from 1986 to 2020, poverty alleviation in China has gone through different stages of development, which can be regarded as an epitome of China’s dynamic development since its reform and opening-up policy. While the sustained economic growth, government's guidance and the improvement of people's access to social services and participation in social security have laid a solid foundation for poverty alleviation, the active engagement of the government, private economy, social organizations and international organizations also made contribution to this great cause. China’s successful and efficient experiences of poverty alleviation, including strong political commitment, systematic overall planing, technological innovation, and emphasis on inclusive development greatly enriched the theory and practice of global poverty reduction.

Dr. Deng Yanting

In his case study of Xinjiang, Dr. Deng noted that Xinjiang has been Chinese territory since ancient times, and common prosperity of all ethnic groups in Xinjiang topped the agenda of China’s governance of the region. Since the 18^th CPC National Congress, poverty alleviation in Xinjiang has ushered in a new era, especially on November 14, 2020 local poverty alleviation achieved the ultimate victory when the final 10 counties were removed from the list of impoverishment. Over the past 6 years, more than 3 million poor rural residents, 3,666 impoverished villages and 32 poverty-stricken counties got rid of abject poverty thanks to the scientific leadership of the CPC and unremitting collective efforts of all ethnic groups in Xinjiang. The experiences and innovations accumulated in Xinjiang's poverty alleviation can provide references for developing countries on the governance of areas with multi-ethnic groups and fragile environment bearing capacity.

Dr. Zhang Mengying

Dr. Zhang presented a case study of Tibet and emphasized that poverty alleviation in Tibet has written a development miracle on the roof of the world. December 23, 2019 will be recorded by history forever, when all 19 poverty-stricken counties (districts) and more than 150,000 registered poor residents in Tibet were lifted out of poverty. This ultimate victory over abject poverty is an unprecedented achievement in the history of Tibet, highlighting the great advantages of the socialism with Chinese characteristics. The key to this success lies in the scientific overall planning of the CPC, consolidation of cadres and masses of all ethnic groups, cooperation and support of enterprises and social organizations. The year 2021 marks the 70^th anniversary of Tibet’s peaceful development, people of all ethnic groups in Tibet will further concentrate on the great cause of building a moderately prosperous society in all respects and continue to write a brilliant story of development on the roof of the world.

Lecture main venue

Before presentations of three speakers, Professor Li Xinfeng, executive president of the CAI delivered opening remarks and pointed out that by 2020, final 98.99 million impoverished rural residents living under the current poverty line have all been lifted out of poverty and all 832 impoverished counties and 128,000 villages have also been removed from the poverty list. This monumental anti-poverty campaign has a scale unseen anywhere in the world, and makes China responsible for over 70% of the global reduction in poverty over the period, which called by UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres as "the most important contribution" to the global poverty reduction cause. In the context of building a community with a shared future for all mankind, this remarkable achievement will also put forward China's plans and offered Chinese wisdom for global efforts to tackle the challenge of poverty.

Lecture main venue

In Q&A, African scholars had in-depth exchanges with three speakers on topics of sustainability of poverty alleviation, role played by government and enterprises in poverty alleviation, contribution made by public and private economy to poverty alleviation, and systematic overall planning of poverty alleviation.