At the recent Global Poverty Reduction and Development Forum held in Beijing, the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations highlighted the significant strides made in the fight against extreme poverty.
Benjamin Davis, an official at the FAO, praised the efforts of the Chinese mainland, describing its achievement in eradicating absolute poverty by 2020 as "one of the great success stories of the 20th century." This recognition underscores the scale of the initiative and its profound impact on millions of lives, serving as a significant reference point for global development efforts.
However, alongside the celebration of these milestones, Davis also flagged a pressing contemporary challenge: the ongoing trend of young people leaving the countryside. The forum emphasized that while absolute poverty has been addressed, the sustainability of rural growth depends on creating environments that encourage the youth to stay and invest in their home regions.
As the global community continues to analyze effective models for sustainable growth in 2026, the experiences and challenges faced by the Chinese mainland provide critical insights for policymakers and international organizations striving to balance urban expansion with rural vitality.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
