By Peng Fei
The fifth session of the Indonesian Rural Cadre Training Program was recently held, bringing 26 participants to East China’s Shandong Province. During the visit, Zeki Hamzah, the village head of Tepian Langsat in East Kutai Regency of East Kalimantan Province, Indonesia, remarked, “The experience here showed that joint efforts by government, village-run enterprises, cooperatives and residents can create a virtuous cycle of economic development, social stability and public well-being.”
Launched in 2019, the Indonesian Rural Cadre Training Program brings 20 to 30 village heads to China each year. Now in its fifth year, the program has energized rural development and poverty reduction efforts in Indonesia. A key draw for these delegations is the proven effectiveness of China’s targeted poverty alleviation strategy, which has gained international recognition.
Poverty governance remains a global challenge, especially for developing countries. In November 2013, during an inspection of Shibadong village in Xiangxi Tujia and Miao autonomous prefecture, Central China’s Hunan Province, President Xi Jinping introduced the concept of “targeted poverty alleviation.” This approach emphasizes tailoring policies to local conditions, accurately identifying impoverished households, efficiently allocating resources and implementing household-specific measures, all supported by village-based Party secretaries. These practices have greatly improved the effectiveness of poverty reduction initiatives.
Today, the concept of “targeted poverty alleviation” has been included in UN General Assembly documents. Its methods—such as establishing poverty registries and assigning resident village officials—have been adopted or referenced by several countries.
Targeted efforts have been central to China’s success in poverty reduction and are now widely seen as a model worthy of in-depth study. More than just a policy tool, targeted approaches represent a strategic mindset—summed up by the saying, “using the right key for the right lock.”
When China first launched its national poverty registration system, approximately 30 percent of identified poor households were inaccurately classified. By developing a centralized poverty alleviation information platform and continuously verifying and refining data, China built a precise, actionable database that significantly improved the accuracy and effectiveness of its poverty alleviation efforts.
Targeted efforts also highlight China’s institutional strengths, especially its ability to coordinate seamlessly across all levels of government. In Luhua township, Haidong City, Northwest China’s Qinghai Province, for example, an embroidery workshop established to boost local women’s incomes demonstrates the integration of multiple policy mechanisms, including poverty alleviation relocation, east-west collaboration and industrial development.
The transformation of targeted poverty alleviation from a concept to real-world results has been made possible by well-coordinated institutional arrangements and strong mobilization and implementation capabilities.
Such targeted approaches are essential for turning institutional strengths into effective governance. Whether building a unified national market, managing external risks through careful macroeconomic regulation, or addressing environmental challenges with science-based solutions, precision is crucial. Sustained development requires both strategic vision and meticulous implementation to keep policy initiatives on track.
Targeted efforts reflect a long-term commitment to consistent and effective action. Grand visions are achieved through steady, focused efforts—especially in poverty alleviation, where the ultimate goal is to improve people’s lives in real, tangible ways.
Han Yunan, an official assigned to Qianhe village in Zhoukou, Central China’s Henan Province, has played a key role in guiding the community toward prosperity. In addition to overseeing project implementation, he actively raised funds and helped establish local factories to drive industrial development. At the villagers’ request, he extended his tenure five times. Over a decade of dedicated service, the village’s per capita annual income rose from just over 1,300 yuan (about $184.57) to more than 18,000 yuan today.
China’s targeted poverty alleviation approach offers valuable lessons and forward-looking guidance for the international community. By maintaining strategic resolve and focusing on both broad goals and specific details, China continues to make meaningful progress toward national rejuvenation and modernization—contributing Chinese insights and solutions to global development challenges. (Contributed by BRNN)
