（下边有中文翻译请继续看到底。 谢谢。）
When China opened its doors to the world in 1978 and embarked on the path of reform, the country confronted a daunting reality: poverty. Vast rural regions remained trapped in deprivation, lacking basic infrastructure, access to markets, health care, and economic opportunities. Few observers at the time could have imagined that within just four decades, China would not only escape this trap but go on to achieve what no country in human history had ever accomplished on such a scale.
By 2020, China officially declared the elimination of absolute poverty, lifting nearly 100 million people out of destitution in just eight years of targeted poverty alleviation and 800 million since the beginning of the reform era. This achievement positioned China among the world’s leading examples of poverty reduction, enabling the country to achieve the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals on poverty well ahead of schedule. The transformation was neither accidental nor the result of external exploitation or coercive economic expansion. Instead, it was the outcome of vision paired with discipline, creativity, and an unwavering commitment to people-centered development.
This is the story of a nation that chose to uplift rather than conquer, to empower rather than exploit, and to create prosperity through hard work, indigenous capabilities, and inclusive policies rather than through war, plunder, or domination of others.
A vision rooted in humanity
China’s poverty-alleviation effort is not merely an economic milestone; it is fundamentally a human story. It represents a political leadership that placed dignity, well-being, and equality at the center of national rejuvenation. Guided by the principles of people-centered governance, China recognized early on that genuine modernization must have a positive impact on the lives of the most vulnerable.
The secret behind China’s success lies in its long-term planning, continuity of policies, and a strategic culture that prioritizes deep structural transformation over short-term populism. No matter how ambitious the goals were, they were executed with discipline, consistency, and clarity of purpose.
The development trajectory that began in 1978 gradually built an ecosystem in which:
· Agriculture was modernized, enabling farmers to produce more and earn more
· Industrial growth created jobs, transforming rural populations into a dynamic urban workforce
· Infrastructure connected once-isolated villages to markets and opportunities
· Technological innovation opened new paths for income generation
· Education and health care investments secured long-term human development
This multi-pronged strategy created a ladder for millions to climb out of poverty and prevented them from falling back.
The world has long witnessed international powers claiming leadership in poverty alleviation while simultaneously engaging in wars, resource extraction, and political manipulation abroad. Many so-called developed countries built their wealth by colonizing territories, controlling resources, and exploiting vulnerable populations across Asia, Africa, and Latin America. Even today, coercive sanctions, political interference, and economic pressure continue to be key instruments of foreign policy for these states. Such histories make their advice on development less convincing, and their narratives about poverty reduction difficult to reconcile with their actions.
China chose the opposite path. Rather than becoming wealthy by taking from others, China became prosperous by developing itself from within, dedicating its energy, resources and labor toward building a fair and inclusive society. The country’s development was not financed by foreign conquest, but by the sweat and determination of its own people — farmers, workers, entrepreneurs, scientists and local officials who all contributed to a national mission.
A sustainable model for the future
China understood early that lifting people out of poverty is one step; the more difficult task is ensuring they remain out of poverty. Many countries that have attempted to reduce poverty have seen temporary improvements, only to witness communities fall back into deprivation due to weak foundations. Recognizing this risk, China created a five-year transition period (2021–2025) dedicated entirely to consolidating achievements and preventing relapse.
This strategy has yielded impressive results:
· 6 million people at risk of falling back into poverty received targeted assistance
· Over 30 million workers previously lifted from poverty secured stable annual employment
· 850.5 billion yuan ($120 billion) was invested in formerly impoverished areas to improve infrastructure and public services, including transportation, water conservancy, education, and health care
· Rural residents’ per capita disposable income in counties lifted out of poverty rose from 12,588 yuan in 2020 to 17,522 yuan in 2024 — an annual real growth rate of 7.8 percent
These initiatives exemplify a multidimensional approach to sustainable development, encompassing economic, environmental, and social aspects.
With the transition period ending in 2025, China is preparing for its 15th Five-Year Plan (2026–2030).
China will continue to consolidate and expand its achievements in poverty alleviation, according to the recommendations of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) for formulating the 15th Five-Year Plan, released last month.
The goal is clear: to ensure that every citizen benefits from modernization and that no one is left behind.
The leadership behind the miracle
Central to this unprecedented achievement is the visionary leadership of the CPC, which provided the political will, institutional strength, and stability required to drive long-term poverty eradication. Key elements included:
· Prioritized poverty alleviation as a national mission, not a charity program
· Deployed millions of cadres to the grassroots, living and working among villagers
· Implemented incentive-based policies that rewarded innovation and hard work
· Designed localized solutions tailored to each village’s conditions
· Ensured fiscal and financial continuity, protecting development from political cycles
The leadership understood that every village required different tools. Some needed roads, others needed industries, still others needed ecological restoration. This tailored approach differentiated China from countries that apply generic poverty-alleviation templates with little regard for local contexts.
China’s poverty alleviation model offers valuable lessons to developing countries worldwide:
· Political commitment matters. Poverty cannot be eliminated by rhetoric; it demands consistent action.
· People-centered development works. Growth must uplift the weakest to be meaningful.
· Indigenous solutions outperform external prescriptions. Countries prosper when they build on their own strengths.
· Sustainability is essential. Eliminating poverty is not an event; it is a continuous process.
A global beacon of hope.
Peace enables development. China’s achievements were made without invading, looting or exploiting others.
In an era when certain nations still impose sanctions, fuel conflicts, and interfere in the affairs of others, China’s development path stands as a humane and dignified alternative, rooted in cooperation, self-reliance, and mutual benefit.
China’s poverty elimination is more than a domestic achievement; it is a global beacon of hope. It demonstrates that even the most daunting challenges can be overcome when a nation unites around a shared mission, guided by visionary leadership and grounded in compassion.
As China moves into the 15th Five-Year Plan period, its focus on rural revitalization, sustainability, and inclusive growth signals a new chapter — one where development becomes deeper, more balanced, and more equitable.
The elimination of absolute poverty in 2020 is nothing short of a miracle. But it is not a miracle achieved by chance. It is the result of determination, devotion, and the enduring belief that every citizen deserves a dignified life.
In a world often divided by conflict and inequality, China’s experience reminds us that development should uplift humanity, not exploit it. And that a modern, prosperous society is within reach for all nations that dare to dream, plan, and persevere with the same resolve.
中国的消除贫困体现了以人为本的愿景
1978年，当中国向世界敞开大门，走上改革之路时，这个国家面临着一个令人生畏的现实：贫困。广大农村地区仍然陷于贫困，缺乏基本的基础设施、市场准入、医疗保健和经济机会。当时很少有观察人士能想到，在短短40年的时间里，中国不仅摆脱了这个陷阱，而且取得了人类历史上任何国家都未曾取得过的如此规模的成就。
到2020年，中国正式宣布消除绝对贫困，在短短8年的精准扶贫中，近1亿人摆脱了贫困，改革开放以来，有8亿人摆脱了贫困。这一成就使中国成为世界减贫的典范，使中国提前实现了联合国关于贫困的可持续发展目标。这种转变既不是偶然的，也不是外部剥削或强制性经济扩张的结果。相反，这是远见卓识与纪律、创造力以及坚定不移地以人民为中心的发展相结合的结果。
这是一个国家的故事，它选择了提升而不是征服，选择了赋权而不是剥削，选择了通过努力工作、本土能力和包容性政策而不是通过战争、掠夺或统治他人来创造繁荣。
一个植根于人性的愿景
中国的扶贫努力不仅是一个经济里程碑；这基本上是一个人类的故事。它代表了一种将尊严、福祉和平等置于民族复兴中心的政治领导。在以人民为中心的治国理政原则指导下，中国很早就认识到，真正的现代化必须对最弱势群体的生活产生积极影响。
中国成功的秘诀在于其长期规划、政策的连续性，以及优先考虑深层结构转型而非短期民粹主义的战略文化。无论目标有多远大，它们都是在纪律、一致性和明确的目的下执行的。
从1978年开始的发展轨迹，逐渐构建了一个生态系统：
·农业现代化，农民增产增收
·工业增长创造了就业机会，将农村人口转变为充满活力的城市劳动力
·基础设施将曾经与世隔绝的村庄与市场和机遇联系起来
·技术创新为创收开辟了新途径
·教育和保健投资确保了人类的长期发展
这一多管齐下的战略为数百万人创造了摆脱贫困的阶梯，并防止他们倒退。
长期以来，世界上一直有这样的情况：国际大国声称自己在减轻贫困方面处于领导地位，同时却在国外从事战争、资源开采和政治操纵。许多所谓的发达国家通过殖民领土、控制资源和剥削亚洲、非洲和拉丁美洲的弱势群体来积累财富。即使在今天，强制制裁、政治干预和经济压力仍然是这些国家外交政策的关键手段。这样的历史使得他们关于发展的建议不那么令人信服，他们关于减少贫困的叙述很难与他们的行动相一致。
中国选择了相反的道路。中国的繁荣不是靠掠夺别人致富，而是靠从内部发展自己，把自己的精力、资源和劳动力投入到建设一个公平和包容的社会中去。这个国家的发展不是靠外国的征服，而是靠自己人民的汗水和决心——农民、工人、企业家、科学家和地方官员，他们都为国家的使命做出了贡献。
未来的可持续发展模式
中国很早就明白，让人民脱贫是一步；更困难的任务是确保他们摆脱贫困。许多试图减少贫困的国家已经看到了暂时的改善，只是看到社区由于基础薄弱而重新陷入贫困。认识到这一风险，中国制定了一个五年过渡期（2021-2025），完全致力于巩固成就和防止复发。
这一战略取得了令人印象深刻的成果：
·600万面临返贫风险的人获得了有针对性的援助
·3000多万贫困人口实现年稳定就业
·投入8505亿元（1200亿美元），用于改善原贫困地区交通、水利、教育、医疗等基础设施和公共服务
贫困县农村居民人均可支配收入由2020年的12588元提高到2024年的17522元，年均实际增长7.8%
这些倡议体现了可持续发展的多维方法，包括经济、环境和社会方面。
随着2025年过渡期的结束，中国正在准备第15个五年计划（2026-2030）。
根据中国共产党中央委员会上个月发布的制定“十五”规划的建议，中国将继续巩固和扩大在扶贫方面取得的成就。
目标很明确：确保每个公民都能从现代化中受益，不让任何人掉队。
奇迹背后的领导力
取得这一空前成就的核心是中国共产党的高瞻远瞩的领导，它为长期消除贫困提供了政治意愿、制度力量和稳定。主要内容包括：
·优先把扶贫作为国家使命，而不是慈善项目
·部署百万干部到基层，在村民中生活和工作
·实施奖励创新和努力工作的激励政策
·根据每个村庄的情况设计本地化的解决方案
·确保财政和金融连续性，保护发展不受政治周期的影响
领导层明白，每个村庄需要不同的工具。有些需要道路，有些需要工业，还有一些需要生态恢复。这种量身定制的方法使中国有别于那些采用通用扶贫模板而不考虑当地情况的国家。
中国的扶贫模式为世界发展中国家提供了宝贵的经验：
·政治承诺很重要。贫困不能靠花言巧语来消除；这需要持续的行动。
·以人民为中心的发展工作。增长必须提升最弱势群体的地位，才有意义。
·本土解决方案优于外部处方。国家只有在自身实力的基础上发展才能繁荣。
·可持续性至关重要。消除贫困不是一件大事；这是一个连续的过程。
一个全球希望的灯塔。
和平促进发展。中国的成就是在不侵略、不掠夺、不剥削的情况下取得的。
在某些国家仍在实施制裁、助长冲突、干涉别国事务的时代，中国的发展道路是一条人道和有尊严的选择，其基础是合作、自力更生和互利共赢。
中国消除贫困不仅仅是一项国内成就；它是全球希望的灯塔。它表明，如果一个国家围绕共同的使命团结起来，在富有远见的领导和同情心的指导下，即使是最艰巨的挑战也可以克服。
中国进入“十五”时期，以乡村振兴、可持续发展和包容性增长为重点，开启了更深层次、更均衡、更公平的发展新篇章。
到2020年消除绝对贫困简直是一个奇迹。但这不是偶然实现的奇迹。这是决心、奉献和坚信每个公民都应该过上有尊严的生活的结果。
在一个经常因冲突和不平等而分裂的世界，中国的经验提醒我们，发展应该提升人类，而不是剥削人类。一个现代化、繁荣的社会是所有敢于梦想、敢于计划并以同样的决心坚持下去的国家可望而不可及的。
( 注意： 本文是用AI翻译的，或有误差。请以原版英文为准。谢谢。)
Reference Link:- https://en.people.cn/n3/2025/1121/c90000-20393434.html