China seeks help from corporate sector to fight poverty

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By CGTN's Ming Tian

China's efforts to end poverty are getting a helping hand from the corporate sector. Danzhai county in southwest China's Guizhou Province on Monday unveiled a tourism village and a vocational college, with the hope of improving the locals' livelihood. The project is fully funded by Chinese conglomerate Wanda Group.

CGTN’s reporter in Danzhai county, Guizhou Province, China, July 3, 2017. /CGTN Photo

Wanda unveiled a series of initiatives in Danzhai county, which sees the implementation of both short- and long-term projects to improve residents' lives.

Danzahi county, Guizhou Province, China /CGTN Photo

“We decided to focus on the development of tourism and education in Danzhai. The program involves a total investment of 1.5 billion yuan (0.2 billion US dollars), including the Wanda Vocational College, Wanda Tourism Village and Danzhai Special Poverty Alleviation Fund,” said Wang Jianlin, Chairman of Wanda Group.

Wang Jianlin, Chairman of Wanda Group /VCG Photo

China has been at the forefront of the world’s poverty-reduction efforts for nearly four decades. More than 700 million people in the countryside have risen out of poverty, largely thanks to China’s economic boom.

The Chinese government has allocated more than 140 billion yuan (20.5 billion US dollars) for poverty alleviation programs this year, as Chinese President Xi Jinping said that pulling everyone out of poverty is “the baseline task for building a moderately prosperous society.”

A Miao’s batik dyeing artwork in Danzhai county, Guizhou Province, China, July 3, 2017. /CGTN Photo

When the work is likely to only get harder as the campaign enters its final stretch and as China’s economy slows, the private sector's entrance has brought another gleam of hope to the fight to end poverty.