Philippines: China strives to achieve first centenary goal

What impact will the COVID-19 pandemic bring to China's goal of eradicating extreme poverty by the end of 2020? How does the international community view China's efforts in poverty reduction? What other challenges will China face in poverty reduction after eliminating absolute poverty in 2020?

Jose Santiago Sta. Romana, Philippine ambassador to China, recently gave a written interview with China.org.cn about China's poverty relief efforts under the COVID-19 epidemic. He indicated thatin spite of the adverse effects of COVID-19, China would still continue to pursue the important goal of improving the lives of significant numbers of its citizens and lifting them out of poverty, and the Chinese government and people would surely press on to achieve their first centenary goal.

Jose Santiago Sta. Romana, Philippine ambassador to China

China.org.cn: China is expected to eliminate absolute poverty this year. What is your comment on China's efforts in poverty reduction?

Jose Santiago Sta. Romana: China's plan to eliminate absolute poverty is commendable and dovetails with goal number 1 of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, which is the eradication of poverty. This task will not be easy, especially given the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, but the Chinese government and people will surely press on and try to achieve the first centenary goal.

Based on the work report by Premier Li Keqiang during the 13th National People’s Congress, the Chinese government is determined to work even harder to ensure that the basic needs of the poor population are met. As I understand it, there will be poverty alleviation programs and rural revitalization programs to help those who have risen out of poverty in order for them to move towards prosperity.

Financial support will be given to micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs). Large commercial banks have been directed to increase inclusive financial lending to MSMEs by more than 40 percent. Increased support to MSMEs during the time of COVID-19 will contribute in the fight against poverty since this support would allow MSMEs to stay afloat and thrive, ensuring that people employed in these enterprises do not back slide into poverty.

China.org.cn: In your opinion, what impact will the COVID-19 pandemic bring to China's goal of eradicating extreme poverty by the end of 2020? What are your suggestions?

Jose Santiago Sta. Romana: In spite of the adverse effects of COVID-19, China will still continue to pursue the important goal of improving the lives of significant numbers of its citizens and lifting them out of poverty. As Premier Li Keqiang explained in his work report at the recent NPC, China has a whole-of-government approach that would try to blunt the adverse effects of COVID-19 on the effort to eradicate extreme poverty by 2020.

China.org.cn: What other challenges will China face in poverty reduction after eliminating absolute poverty in 2020?

Jose Santiago Sta. Romana: Poverty eradication efforts will likely continue even after absolute poverty is eliminated. China may face the challenge of maintaining a strong poverty alleviation effort to deal with relative poverty and growing income inequality.

Development is a long-term process and, to be successful, would need a whole-of-government approach. The challenge in this regard is aligning the efforts of the differing government agencies, provincial governments, and other stakeholders to ensure a unified and common approach.

China.org.cn: What are your suggestions on furthering international cooperation in poverty reduction?

Jose Santiago Sta. Romana: Countries can learn from each other in terms of their work in meeting the 17 goals and 169 targets of the UN Sustainable Development Goals. In this regard, China can share its best practices with other countries in regular meetings on the SDGs. At the same time, it can also learn from other countries and see if their experiences are applicable to the situation here in China through various relevant international and regional cooperation platforms and mechanisms.