Rugged terrain, harsh natural environments, and limited infrastructure once defined Liangshan Yi Autonomous Prefecture in southwest China’s Sichuan Province. These challenging conditions contributed to long-standing poverty, making it one of the key areas in the country’s poverty alleviation campaign.
Eleven of the 17 county-level regions in the prefecture, home to approximately 178,000 people, were designated as focal points for China’s efforts to eradicate poverty. Ahead of the Spring Festival in 2018, Chinese President Xi Jinping visited Sanhe Village in Liangshan and encouraged residents to identify and develop projects suited to local conditions.
Inspired by this visit, the villagers concentrated their efforts on developing crop farming and livestock breeding businesses. “One of our pillar industries is now Simmental cattle,” said Luogu Youge, deputy secretary of Sanhe’s Party branch. “We have raised over 1,000 in the village. The average household income increased by over 10,000 yuan (about \$1,450) from raising cattle alone.”
Liangshan has undergone a significant transformation due to a massive anti-poverty campaign. Over 10,000 kilometers of rural roads have been constructed, providing vital connectivity. Approximately 350,000 residents have been relocated to government-funded housing, and 215 villages have received assistance to develop collective economies.
Today, local agricultural products such as potatoes, peppers, and walnuts are sold far beyond Liangshan’s mountains. The improved infrastructure and internet access have opened new markets, leading to a marked increase in incomes for local residents.
“The most difficult part of victory is not the winning, but the sustaining,” President Xi once said, quoting a classic Chinese saying. He emphasized the need for concrete steps to consolidate and expand upon the outcomes of the fight against poverty as part of the country’s effort to promote rural revitalization.
As the commander-in-chief of China’s anti-poverty fight, Xi Jinping promised that “the CPC will do whatever it takes to honor its commitment to the people.”
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
