The Chinese government has attached great importance to poverty
alleviation, with total relief funding reaching 110 billion yuan,
or US$13 billion.
China encourages all members of society to help relieve poverty
through encouraging cooperation between east and west China as well
as public and private donations.
Improving health care, education and the overall quality of life in
poor areas are also part of the central government's plan, which
includes Project
Hope for the poor students and Project Honor which encourages
economic development in poor areas of the country.
By the end of last year, China's poverty-stricken population was
thought to be at 29 million, down from 250 million before the
reform and opening up period started in 1978.
United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan congratulated China for
its efforts to eliminate poverty and its push to attain the
Millennium Development Goals.
(CRI October 18, 2004)