China solidifies achievements in poverty reduction, demonstrates ongoing commitment to rural development

China has successfully prevented large-scale relapse into poverty since the onset of the transitional phase, linking the consolidation of poverty alleviation outcomes with rural revitalization, according to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs.

This achievement underscores the effectiveness of ongoing efforts to consolidate and expand upon the achievements gained in the fight against poverty.

Key indicators demonstrate the sustained progress. The dropout rates in compulsory education remain at zero among students from former impoverished families and those monitored for potential poverty relapse.

Healthcare coverage remains high, with over 99 percent of the former impoverished population and low-income rural residents enrolled in basic medical insurance.

Housing improvements continue, with steady progress in renovating dilapidated and earthquake-prone rural homes.

Access to safe drinking water remains universal, with a rural tap water penetration rate of 94 percent.

These achievements in ensuring former poverty-stricken to have reliable access to compulsory education, basic medical services, and safe housing and drinking water demonstrate a continued commitment to improving living standards in rural areas.

Economic development in former impoverished areas is also showing positive results.

All the 832 former impoverished counties have established leading industries, generating a total output value exceeding 1.7 trillion yuan (about 237 billion U.S. dollars). Nearly three-quarters of the former impoverished population have established profit-sharing mechanisms with new agricultural businesses.

Furthermore, the number of jobs for the former impoverished workforce remains at above 30 million for four consecutive years.

These combined efforts are solidifying China's progress in poverty reduction and building a foundation for sustainable rural development.

Over the past decades, China has lifted 800 million people out of poverty, achieving the poverty reduction goals of the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development a full decade ahead of schedule.

From 2012 onwards, China has annually raised over 10 million people out of poverty, equivalent to the population of a medium-sized nation, translating to one individual escaping poverty every three seconds.

China solidifies achievements in poverty reduction, demonstrates ongoing commitment to rural development

Commemorations honoring Chinese People's Volunteers (CPV) martyrs were held on the banks of the Yalu River in Dandong, Liaoning Province on Tuesday as part of ongoing tributes to those who fought in the War to Resist U.S. Aggression and Aid Korea (1950-1953).

The event was held to mark the return of the remains of 12 CPV martyrs, who were killed in the war, from the Republic of Korea (ROK) on Wednesday.

This will be the 13th such repatriation of CPV remains following the handover agreement between the two countries. Since 2014, the remains of 1,011 soldiers have been returned to China from the ROK, according to China's Ministry of Veterans Affairs.

More than 170 representatives, including veteran CPV soldiers, relatives of the martyrs, active-duty personnel, students, and other from various sectors of society, attended the event.

People boarded a ferry which slowly sailed down the Yalu River. Inside the cabin, all present stood in solemn silence as the national anthem of the People's Republic of China was played, and observed a moment of silence in honor of the CPV martyrs.

Then, they walked to the ship's railings one by one and scattered flower petals into the river to pay tribute to the martyrs.

"We, the CPV, went abroad to fight to defend our motherland, the people, and our good life and to resist U.S. imperialist aggression against the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK). I hope that our young comrades and students today will study hard and make contributions to our motherland," said Hu Changzhe, a CPV veteran.

"I feel deeply moved as these veteran soldiers are heroes who once fought for our country. Now, standing by the Yalu River, looking back on their past and remembering their comrades, they must be deeply touched," said Hong Jialu, a student at a branch of Liaoning Province Shiyan High School.

At the event, 10 student representatives from primary and middle schools read aloud a letter to express their reverence and remembrance for the heroic martyrs through their sincere words and heartfelt recitation.

The Korean War broke out in June 1950, eight months after the People's Republic of China was founded. At the request of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), China sent 2.9 million CPV soldiers to assist the DPRK during the war, of whom more than 360,000 were killed or injured.

Commemorations held to pay tribute to CPV heroes in northeast China