China issued a white paper titled "Equality, Participation and Sharing: 70 Years of Protecting the Rights and Interests of Persons with Disabilities in the PRC" on Thursday. The document reflects on the efforts and achievements over the past 70 years in China.

The white paper introduces the development of the cause of persons with disabilities in the past 70 years and its progress in mechanisms for protecting the rights and interests of persons with disabilities, and progress in the field of rehabilitation, education, employment, life and social security, accessible environment, personal freedom, social environment, and international exchanges and cooperation of the disabled.

According to the white paper, China has around 85 million people with disabilities, more than any other country in the world. In the 70 years since the founding the People's Republic of China, the government has striven to improve the well-being and livelihood of those with disabilities. Initiatives have ranged from issuing relief for recipients to forming a body that helps them engage in activities. 

Zhang Haidi, chairperson of the China Disabled Persons' Federation (CDPF), said at the conference that "promoting the interests of persons with disabilities, from social welfare relief in the late 1970s and early 1980s, has evolved into an encompassing network covering rehabilitation, disability prevention, employment, poverty alleviation, social security. Rights protection, culture, sports, accessible environment and disability."

Since the 18th National Congress of the CPC, China has given more care and attention to persons with disabilities. Work related to persons with disabilities has become an important part of the "Five-point Strategy" (promoting economic, political, cultural, social, and ecological progress) and the "Four-pronged Strategy" (to complete a moderately prosperous society in all aspects, to further reform, to advance the rule of law, and to strengthen Party discipline.)

The state has established a special welfare system for tens of millions of people with disabilities, including living subsidies, nursing subsidies and subsides for children's resettling. Those with disabilities from poor households in rural areas have become targeted audience for fight against poverty.

According to the document, since the targeted poverty fighting strategy was established, China had more than six million disabled persons in poverty-stricken households in need of help. That number was down to 1.7 million by 2018.

Cheng Kai, vice chairperson of the CDPF, pointed out that the poverty alleviation process for China's disabled has exceeded expectations. 

"In light of the present situation, the process of achieving moderate prosperity for the disabled has gone better than expected. In particular, impoverished people with disabilities have made breakthroughs in poverty alleviation, social security, rehabilitation, and other basic livelihood and public services," Cheng Kai said.

He also mentioned that in the next two years, besides alleviating poverty for those with disabilities, China will work hard to solve the special difficulties and special needs faced by the disabled, ensuring that no one is left behind in the national poverty fight.