How does China's widely-discussed poverty alleviation campaign look on the ground? Younus Ghazali, a Pakistani youth who has lived in the Chinese mainland for over a decade, offers a compelling, personal perspective. His long-term residence has given him a front-row seat to a transformation that he describes as both systematic and deeply human.
Ghazali addresses a common question: "Has China really eradicated poverty?" He explains that the standard for measuring poverty in China is not static. It has evolved from simply ensuring basic food and clothing to encompassing a wider range of factors critical for a decent life, including education, healthcare, safe housing, and overall life stability. This dynamic system, he notes, is continuously improving.
What makes the approach effective, in his view, is its precision. "Instead of broad policies, there's detailed tracking of households, which makes it more responsive and adaptable," he observed.
To see the results firsthand, Ghazali visited formerly impoverished areas in Jinping and Malipo counties in southwest China's Yunnan Province. The changes in these remote mountainous regions were striking: clean and naturally integrated villages, well-maintained roads connecting communities, bustling local markets, and new houses equipped with reliable electricity, water, and internet access.
"What moved me most was the state of the locals," Ghazali shared. "They are no longer struggling just to survive, but beginning to plan for the future." This shift in mindset, from daily survival to future planning, stood out as a key indicator of progress.
His visit included two public schools, where the facilities and learning environment left a profound impression. "They are like high-quality private schools," he exclaimed, highlighting the significant investment in education as a cornerstone of long-term development.
Through his journey, Ghazali said he witnessed real, tangible changes. His concluding message is an invitation: he welcomes more people from around the world to visit and see the real China for themselves, moving beyond statistics to understand the human impact of its developmental policies.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
