Press conference on poverty alleviation and rural revitalization
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E-mail China.org.cn, September 29, 2019
China Media Group:
I would like to ask Mr. Liu a question. We have established the basic requirements and core objectives for lifting impoverished people out of poverty by 2020, so that the rural population will no longer have to worry about having adequate food and clothing, and are assured access to a full program of compulsory education, basic medical treatment and housing. In April this year, General Secretary Xi Jinping made special arrangements at a symposium on dealing with the issue of "two no worries and three guarantees". I would like to invite Mr. Liu to brief us on the progress in this regard. Thank you.
Liu Yongfu:
"Two no worries and three guarantees" are the core objectives of the poverty alleviation work aiming to eliminate absolute poverty so as to meet three standards. First, farmers' per capita annual net income will reach around 4,000 yuan. Second, to realize the "two no worries", which refers those who have been living in poverty no longer having any worries about their food and clothing needs, as well as the goal to ensure they all have access to safe drinking water. Third, to achieve "three guarantees", which refers to giving impoverished people full access to compulsory education, basic medical treatment and housing security. Our job will never be completed if these aforementioned standards are not met. After the symposium in Chongqing this April, we have carried out the following actions:
Liu Yongfu:
First, we have adhered to established standards. To what do these standards refer? Compulsory education is guaranteed. It means that all school-age children and adolescents have access to nine years of compulsory education. We will ensure that all of them are able to go to school and will not face the prospect of having to drop out at any stage. Basic medical treatment is guaranteed. It means that those who have been living in poverty will gain participation in the basic medical care insurance, serious disease insurance and medical aid. We have to make sure that medical institutions based in counties, townships and villages are fully accessible to impoverished people when they suffer common or chronic diseases, and ensure that they can afford the expense of the care involved. Housing security is guaranteed, which means that the housing conditions of rural people, the impoverished portion in particular, should be carefully evaluated. Drinking water safety is guaranteed, which means that people who have been living in poverty will have access to clean and safe drinking water.
Liu Yongfu:
Second, we have clarified operational responsibilities. First, the central government undertakes overall planning, which means the major authorities of the central government should take the responsibility to provide guidance in the fight against poverty. Second, governments at provincial level undertake the major responsibility to specify standards and make detailed plans that will then be strictly implemented by city and township governments step by step, so that every single family will finally escape from poverty. Third, we have conducted a survey and solved problems accordingly. A comprehensive investigation has been carried out nationwide since April, with more than five million people being found to have suffering from the problems related to the "two no worries and three guarantees", including cases of youngsters dropping out of school, families having no access to medical treatment, living in dilapidated housing and exposed to unsafe drinking water. Over three million of them have managed to escape from this situation up until now, and the remaining more than 1.7 million people are expected to turn the corner by the end of this year.
