The Big Picture: Fighting poverty in far-flung areas

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Imagine living in a village with fresh air and clean water and without modern day disturbances such as traffic as well as distractions from various forms of telecommunication channels. It does sound serene, doesn't it? But it may appear less attractive given the fact that there are no shops or hospitals.

This is what it is like in Reskamu village, Taxkorgan county in Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region – home to China's Tajiks, and one of the poorest areas in China.

"This is where we've lived since childhood. This place has a good environment, that's why I love it," Nazimu Dila, a herdsman in the village, said, adding, "We tend fruit trees without chemical fertilizer."

There are 700 herders in the village like Dila.

Commendable efforts

The village relies heavily on the government – with limited resources, its growth is capped.

The herders' living relies on raising animals such as sheep and cattles. Their earnings fluctuate as prices of these animals change.

To fully lift these heartlands out of poverty, the government plans to relocate all villagers to a new settlement by 2019. This is part of the government's plan to eradicate poverty by 2020, including that in Reskamu.

A rural earning less than 2,300 yuan (346 US dollars) per year is defined below the poverty line set by the government.

Striking a balance

The government's measures include rural tourism, eco-agriculture, and e-commerce.

But it can be a tough balancing act to lift all of the country's heartlands out of poverty, while preserving their uniqueness, such as the Pamir Mountains.

"The anti-poverty efforts by the government are beneficial, but I hope the development won't change the environment here," said Dila.

What will happen to the next generation?

Dila's granddaughter, Bahatijiang, a 15-year-old student is sure of not living her mother's life when she grows up.

"They have their lives, and I have mine. I can't raise livestock on the plateau all my life. I want to study and come back to make some changes," she said.

Bahatijiang attends high school some 300 kilometers away.

In the village, women traditionally stay at home to take care of the family and livestock for their whole life.

Final push

China has lifted half a billion people out of poverty in the last few decades.

According to the World Bank, the poverty rate has been brought down from 88 percent in 1981 to 6.5 percent in 2012, and further down to 1.9 percent in 2013. This is based on living on 1.9 dollars a day.

Last year's figure of 12 million is on track with the country's goal of wiping out 10 million people out of poverty each year.

The country is determined to continue the fight against eliminating poverty. From 2013 to 2016, a little over 55 million were brought out of poverty. There is reportedly 45 million more who remain poor.

The spotlight is on China as it has three more years to wipe out poverty, to reach its 2020 goal of achieving a moderately prosperous society.