Xu Li – Presenter at CGTN‑French
Recently, some Western media questioned the authenticity of China’s poverty eradication, citing isolated cases such as an elderly woman living modestly in Guizhou Province. Some even described the policy as “unsustainable.” Such a partial and reductive view ignores both the historical context of China’s fight against poverty and the institutional mechanisms established to ensure its sustainability.
A matter of benchmarks rather than reality In China, the poverty threshold is set at 2,300 yuan per year (at 2010 constant prices). It is accompanied by the “two assurances and three guarantees”: no shortage of food or clothing, and access to compulsory education, basic medical care, and safe housing. Comparing this framework to the World Bank’s $8.30 per day threshold for upper‑middle‑income countries applies an unsuitable benchmark.
Likewise, the 200 yuan in monthly expenses cited in the case of the elderly woman does not necessarily reflect her actual living standard: agricultural self‑consumption, such as vegetables grown and consumed locally, represents economic value not captured by monetary spending alone. Equating expenses with overall living standards shows a lack of understanding of subsistence rural economies.
Chosen frugality vs. endured poverty: an essential distinction Among elderly people in rural China, frugality is a deeply rooted cultural virtue. Many, though supported by pensions or their children, choose to live simply and independently. Presenting this lifestyle as evidence of failed public policy reflects not only a lack of empathy but also an imposition of foreign perspectives on Chinese social realities.
A prevention system against returning to poverty, still little understood China never considered its 2020 victory as an endpoint. It has established the world’s largest alert system to prevent a return to poverty, ensuring early detection and assistance. Through digital platforms, alerts are automatically triggered in cases of illness, disaster, or sudden income loss, enabling rapid and targeted intervention within strict timelines. This is a permanent mechanism, not a one‑off campaign.
At the same time, China is strengthening employment support. The policy line adopted in 2026 requires that at least one working‑age member from vulnerable households gain employment, backed by regular evaluations, clear responsibilities, and adequate resources.
A long‑term dynamic The sustainability of poverty eradication in China rests on rigorous institutional execution and a constant commitment to the well‑being of its people. Rather than judging the efforts of a country of 1.4 billion people by an isolated case, it is more revealing to consider families rehoused in new apartments, young entrepreneurs supported by micro‑credits, or elderly residents now accessing standardized village clinics—tangible realities that illustrate the impact of this policy.