Xi: China to lift 70 mln people out of poverty in 5 years

China's president Xi Jinping announced that China will lift 70 million people out of poverty in the future 5 years, as a major move to fulfill post 2015 development agenda, at a global poverty forum held today in Beijing.

President Xi delivered a keynote speech at the Global Poverty Reduction and Development Forum.[Photo/China.org.cn]

President Xi delivered a keynote speech saying that China has lifted more than 600 million people out of poverty. It was the first developing country to meet the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) target of reducing poverty ahead of the 2015 deadline.

He said that to eradicate poverty is the common mission of human beings. China is committing to eradicate poverty domestically, is also committing to South-South cooperation.

"Over the past 60 years, China has been providing 166 countries and international organizations with more than 400 billion yuan (US$63 billion) in aids. And 700 staff have scarified their lives in aiding developing countries," said president Xi.

Hosted by the State Council Leading Group of Poverty Alleviation and Development, the Global Poverty Reduction and Development Forum invited around 300 representatives to share their experience in combating poverty. A high-level meeting and several panels will also be held this afternoon to stress specific poverty issues such as rural development, the disabled group as well as how online shopping platforms could be used to sell special products from poverty-stricken areas.