Even as the country faces the daunting task of getting back on track, this year is still China's deadline to eradicate poverty. Chinese President Xi Jinping said China's goal to lift all rural residents out of poverty by 2020 remains a priority. Speaking in a teleconference on Friday on poverty alleviation, President Xi emphasized the need to overcome the impact of the novel coronavirus outbreak, to "clinch a complete victory in the fight against poverty." 

He called for specific epidemic prevention and control strategies to be implemented depending on the regional situation. Regions hit hard by the epidemic should intensify epidemic control, while innovating new work methods. Areas with zero or fewer cases of infections should concentrate on expediting poverty relief. 

President Xi also urged the expansion of sales channels online to promote marketing of agricultural products. The number of impoverished people in China fell to 5.5 million in 2019 from nearly 99 million at the end of 2012. The country has 52 counties and more than 1,000 villages that need to be lifted out of poverty.