Baicheng moves mountains to rid itself of poverty

Updated: 2020-07-22
(ejilin.gov.cn)

Baicheng moves mountains to rid itself of poverty
A broad expanse of rich farmland in Zhenlai county, administered by Baicheng city. [Photo/chinadaily.com.cn]

The determination of the authorities in Baicheng -- the prefecture-level city in Northeast China's Jilin province -- has moved mountains when it comes to pushing to eliminate poverty for once and for all, according to local officials.

They said the effort has yielded great success, with five counties administered by the city announcing they were finally rid of poverty in April this year, as well as the incidence of poverty in the city falling to 0.1 percent.

Local officials said that in the end of 2015, Baicheng had 384 impoverished villages out of its 919 villages, accounting for one quarter of the province's total and it had 201,000 indigent people, accounting for 28.7 percent of Jilin's total.

The city's poverty alleviation program started in earnest at the start of 2016, since when all government departments and officials, as well as Party members, have been hard at work tackling the problem.

Baicheng integrated poverty reduction through industrial development and targeted the problem by increasing villagers' incomes through planting crops, developing the solar power industry, e-commerce and in other ways.

Adding to the mix, fruit and vegetable picking and countryside tours became popular at villages, increasing farmers' incomes.

The city has invested 15.64 billion yuan ($2.24 billion) in its poverty alleviation program, renovating dilapidated houses, building infrastructure, supporting the education of poor children, improving rural living environment and a lot more, officials said.

Currently, the city is aiming to continue its efforts, to that villagers do not return to poverty, officials added.

Baicheng moves mountains to rid itself of poverty
A farmer hand picks white mushrooms in Baicheng city. [Photo/chinadaily.com.cn]

Baicheng moves mountains to rid itself of poverty
Villagers in Baicheng work at a local plant. [Photo/chinadaily.com.cn]

 

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