Erasing poverty: Dulongjiang’s big step forward

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Nestled in the mountains of southwest China near the Myanmar border, the town of Dulongjiang is receiving a harvest of chonglou, a type of traditional Chinese medicine.

As part of the country's poverty alleviation program, chonglou is one of the pillar industries helping to bring a better life to the villagers.

“Each family in our town makes around 20,000-30,000 yuan (2,890-4,330 U.S. dollars) every year by selling chonglou,” Long Decheng, a 26-year-old cropper, told CGTN.

Long was in the army for about two years before returning to his hometown of 4,200 people to guard the massive forest as a ranger.

Anti-poverty efforts

Some 109 hectares of chonglou were planted here, and other industries have come to the area, such as cattle and herbs and peppers, according to government figures.

Close-up shot of chonglou, a type of traditional Chinese herbal medicine. /CGTN Photo

Tunnels and roads connecting Dulongjiang town have been paved since 2014, providing chonglou collectors easier access to the village and its coveted crop.

The chonglou industry is a small part of a massive nationwide effort to lift people out of poverty, which Chinese President Xi Jinping has pledged to eliminate by 2020 for a moderately prosperous society.

The government defines poverty as earning less than 2,800 yuan (416 U.S. dollars) per year, a lower benchmark than the World Bank poverty line which sits at 700 U.S. dollars a year.

In terms of better implementation, China has integrated poverty alleviation by helping people increase confidence in their own ability and providing access to the education they need to do so.

China has also initiated social insurance programs since the 1990s, covering unemployment, medical care and pensions, which are benefiting rural residents.

Big step forward

Long Decheng tries to head back after Chonglou searching in the forest with CGTN reporter. /CGTN Photo

“I'm glad to learn that the Derung people in Delongjiang town have been lifted out of poverty,” President Xi wrote when answering a letter from Derung officials in early April.

The Derungs, one of China's smallest ethnic minorities, were lifted out of poverty last year. Besides the chonglou harvest, many changes have taken place in the past five years, such as the construction of resettlement homes and new schools.

In his letter, Xi said he aspires to ensure a good life for China's minority groups. The people of Dulongjiang town share this common goal.

"I have confidence in fighting poverty," Long said.