Leaders and experts involved in poverty alleviation efforts worldwide gathered in Beijing on Thursday for the 2024 Global Poverty Reduction and Development Forum, where China's commitment and contribution to global fight against poverty took center stage.
In over four decades, China has lifted 800 million people out of poverty. But it hasn't stopped there -- the country is now taking steps to build on this achievement and ensure millions don't slip back into destitution, while also reaffirming its commitment to global efforts aimed at alleviating poverty.
"Poverty reduction and development are the common themes of human society and carry people's aspirations for a better life. Looking to the future, China seeks to share experiences in poverty reduction, food security, agricultural science and technology, and implement pragmatic projects to benefit more countries," said Zhang Zhili, an official of the Chinese Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs.
The agriculture ministry says China's hybrid rice is now sown on nearly 70 countries across five continents. In many African nations, yields have skyrocketed from an average of two tons to an impressive 7.5 tons per hectare. China has also launched numerous programs and offered aid and technical support to developing countries in agricultural production and rural development.
Under the China-initiated Lancang-Mekong Cooperation Special Fund, Myanmar has worked with 118 projects from 2017 to 2024 with a budget of 35.2 million U.S. dollars, official data showed.
"Through the result of the project, we can learn a lot of lessons. We will continue the partnership with China, and also all global partnerships, including ASEAN," said U Khant Zaw, permanent secretary of Myanmar's Ministry of Cooperatives and Rural Development.
From December 1, 2024, China will extend zero-tariff treatment to 100 percent of tariff lines for products originating from all least developed countries (LDCs) that maintain diplomatic relations with China.
"In our meeting with the Chinese ambassador in Afghanistan, he said the tariff for Afghan agricultural exports will come down to zero. We can bring more Afghan agriculture and livestock production to the Chinese market. We hope we can strengthen this relationship in the future," said Sadr Azam Usmani, Afghan vice minister of Agriculture, Irrigation and Livestock.
In Africa, China has set up and implemented 47 poverty reduction and agricultural projects, trained close to 9,000 agricultural personnel, shared over 300 advanced and applicable technologies, and benefited over one million smallholders under its poverty reduction and agricultural development program, according to the Chinese Foreign Ministry.
"Agriculture is modernized by mechanization and more technology transfer to the developing countries, so it can have a positive impact in the production. We have a Chinese demonstration center in my country where Chinese engineers come and demonstrate practices," said Abdourahmane Diouf, first counselor of Senegal to China.
The fight against poverty is a collective endeavor that transcends borders. As stakeholders from around the globe come together, there is renewed hope that through shared commitment, the world can make progress toward eradicating poverty and ensuring that no one gets hungry.
China reaffirms commitment to global fight against poverty at Beijing forum
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said on Tuesday that mediation efforts of the Pakistani side regarding the Middle East tensions are in the common interests of all parties.
Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, made the remarks in his talks with Pakistani Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar in Beijing.
During their talks, the two sides exchanged views on current international issues and regional conflicts.
Wang welcomed the visit of the Pakistani side to Beijing for discussion on easing tensions in the Middle East, just after its holding of a quadrilateral foreign ministers' meeting in Islamabad.
He said China supports and looks forward to Pakistan playing a unique and important role in easing the situation and resuming peace talks. This process is no easy task, and Pakistan's mediation efforts are in line with the common interests of all parties, Wang added.
He noted China is willing to make joint efforts with Pakistan to end the hostilities as soon as possible, create opportunities for peace and open the window for peace talks.
On bilateral ties, Wang said this year marks the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Pakistan, calling on both sides to implement the important consensus reached by the leaders of the two countries and constantly advance the building of a China-Pakistan community with a shared future.
For his part, Dar said the Pakistan-China friendship is precious and deeply rooted in people's hearts, adding that Pakistan is willing to work with China to promote the continuous development of the all-weather strategic cooperative partnership between the two countries.
Dar thanked China for supporting Pakistan's mediation of the situation in Iran, adding that the current conflict has disrupted international energy supplies and caused heavy damage to developing countries.
Noting that solutions can only be found through negotiation, Dar said Pakistan is willing to strengthen communication and coordination with China to push all parties to start peace talks as soon as possible and restore regional peace.
The two sides also put forward a five-point initiative for restoring peace and stability in the Gulf and the Middle East region:
I. Immediate cessation of hostilities: China and Pakistan call for immediate cessation of hostilities and utmost efforts to prevent the conflict from spreading. Humanitarian assistance must be allowed to all war-affected areas.
II. Start of peace talks as soon as possible. Sovereignty, territorial integrity, national independence and security of Iran and the Gulf states should be safeguarded. Dialogue and diplomacy is the only viable option to resolve conflicts. China and Pakistan support the relevant parties in initiating talks, with all parties committing to peaceful resolution of disputes, and refraining from the use or the threat of use of force during peace talks.
III. Security of nonmilitary targets. The principle of protecting civilians in military conflict should be observed. China and Pakistan call on parties to the conflict to immediately stop attacks on civilians and nonmilitary targets, and fully adhere to International Humanitarian Law, and stop attacking important infrastructure, including energy, desalination and power facilities, and peaceful nuclear infrastructure, such as nuclear power plants.
IV. Security of shipping lanes. The Strait of Hormuz, together with its adjacent waters, is an important global shipping route for goods and energy. China and Pakistan call on the parties to protect the security of ships and crew members stranded in the Strait of Hormuz, allow the early and safe passage of civilian and commercial ships, and restore normal passage through the Strait as soon as possible.
V. Primacy of the United Nations Charter. China and Pakistan call for efforts to practice true multilateralism, to jointly strengthen the primacy of the United Nations, and to support the conclusion of an agreement for establishing a comprehensive peace framework and realizing lasting peace based on the purposes and principles of the UN Charter and international law.
Pakistan's mediation efforts in common interests of all parties: Chinese FM
Pakistan's mediation efforts in common interests of all parties: Chinese FM
