China will persevere with anti-poverty campaign

Subject

The Chinese Communist Party's anti-poverty goal.

Significance

The Communist Party’s long-established mission to eliminate extreme poverty in China by 2021 -- the centenary of the Party’s foundation -- is at the very core of its identity. As the deadline approaches, President Xi Jinping’s government has made it a higher priority than ever and vowed not to let the COVID-19 outbreak stand in the way.

Impacts

• Many Chinese will become poorer due to the COVID-19 crisis, but remain above the poverty line.
• Eliminating extreme poverty promises a morale boost and source of pride for the nation during a troubled time.
• The poverty line is low and arbitrary, but bringing the entire population above it would be a historic achievement nonetheless.