Shibadong forum on poverty reduction and development held in Xiangxi, Hunan
On Friday, the Shibadong Forum on Poverty Reduction and Development with the theme of poverty alleviation in rural areas was hosted in Xiangxi Tujia and Miao autonomous prefecture, Hunan province.
The forum was organized by China International Communication Group (CICG) and the Publicity Department of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Hunan Provincial Committee. It brought together over 200 guests, including diplomats from nearly 30 countries, think tank experts, representatives of international organizations, and government officials.
The Shibadong Forum on Poverty Reduction and Development is held in Xiangxi Tujia and Miao autonomous prefecture, Hunan province, on Nov. 3, 2023. [Photo/CICG]
Chinese President Xi Jinping introduced the concept of "precision poverty alleviation" in 2013 for the first time during his visit to Shibadong village, which led China to launch an all-out battle against poverty. This initiative, affecting nearly one-fifth of the world's population, resulted in the historic eradication of absolute poverty in China, a decade ahead of the United Nations 2030 Sustainable Development Goals for poverty reduction.
At Friday's forum, the guests acknowledged China's remarkable success in poverty eradication, recognizing it as a significant contribution to global poverty reduction.
Du Zhanyuan, president of China International Communications Group (CICG), addresses the Shibadong Forum on Poverty Reduction and Development in Xiangxi Tujia and Miao autonomous prefecture, Hunan province, on Nov. 3, 2023. [Photo/CICG]
CICG President Du Zhanyuan said that poverty reduction is a long-term endeavor that requires persistent efforts. It is a common cause for all humanity, thus requiring broader, higher-level, and deeper international exchange and cooperation on poverty reduction experiences.
Du said that CICG has always been committed to promoting the exchange and cooperation of international experiences in poverty reduction and development, and in the future, it will continue to focus on the common challenges and major needs of poverty reduction and development around the world, strengthen international cooperation, and contribute to the global cause of poverty alleviation.
François Nkuna Balumuene, ambassador of the Democratic Republic of the Congo to China, said humanity continues to face challenges and crises, and while today's society is generally wealthier than before, it still faces issues of poverty. He commended China's efforts in eradicating poverty and sharing its experiences with the world, and said that this has made a substantial contribution to global poverty alleviation.
Oliver Wonekha, ambassador of the Republic of Uganda to China, expressed gratitude for China's active participation in global poverty reduction efforts. "China has extended a hand of friendship to the world and established partnerships," she said. "Through these efforts, we collectively share the hope for poverty reduction and can benefit from China's experiences in alleviating poverty."
Books in multiple languages introducing the poverty reduction experience of Shibadong village are launched in Xiangxi Tujia and Miao autonomous prefecture, Hunan province, on Nov. 3, 2023. [Photo/CICG]
Apart from the forum, books in multiple languages introducing the poverty reduction experience of Shibadong village were launched by CICG and the Publicity Department of the CPC Hunan Provincial Committee.
CICG also donated a library to Shibadong, making it the 11th one the company has donated in China.
A book launch ceremony is held in Xiangxi Tujia and Miao autonomous prefecture, Hunan province, on Nov. 3, 2023. [Photo/CICG]