Problem and challenges of targeted poverty alleviation in China
Original, , 01-30-2016
China has made initial achievement by taking targeted strategies in poverty alleviation, which accelerates the process of poverty alleviation and forms a new system of poverty reduction and alleviation. However, there are several new problems and challenges:
(Ⅰ) Difference and unbalance of regional development
At present, files for poor population have almost been set up nationwide. Some provinces have re-check and adjust the statistics. As a result, the objects of poverty alleviation can be more targeted. Meanwhile, working groups have been set up in 128, 000 poor villages and the first secretary have all been selected. Because of the difference among provinces, counties, and villages, the effects and progress of taking targeted measures for poverty alleviation are also different. This difference is also obvious between highly-focused and generally-focused counties, villages, and households, as well as between the demonstration projects and non-demonstration projects.
(Ⅱ) Vulnerability and external factors have a greater impact on the stability and sustainability of the poverty alleviation
Targeted poverty alleviation has elevated the capability and effects for poverty alleviation, however, vulnerability on Economic development, as well as on natural and social aspects have also increased, leading to the re-poverty in poor population. Main causes include, unexpected natural disasters or diseases traffic accidents and social turbulence Besides, poverty because of educational cost and cost on marriage also has negative impacts on the effectiveness and level of poverty alleviation.
(Ⅲ) The standard of poverty alleviation is still low and the index of poverty alleviation is too simplified
So far, the current standard for poverty population is RMB 2,300, which is obvious too low compared with the increase of both consuming demands and price in rural areas. Moreover, the index of poverty alleviation is too simplified. Although it takes the measure like the four-dimension by Weining in some poor regions of China, as well as the 191712 multidimensional poverty assessment in Gansu province, it is still too simplified when measuring the poor population only by per capital income. Compared with the basic demands to daily life and to public service, this scale is not enough to measure the actual demands in poor villages. Therefore, it is very urgent and necessary to set up a new system to measure poverty and carrying out the multidimensional index.
(Ⅳ) The function of poverty alleviation system should be determined under new situation
On one hand, the division of responsibilities between current work groups, first secretary, cadres in poor villages and the original work group is a key issue for poverty alleviation. So far, there have been problems such as the overlap of job responsibility, job vacancy caused by the lack of clear job responsibility. On the other hand, after the formation of the new poverty alleviation and overall poverty reduction system, the overall management for funds integration, funds utilization and out-of-poverty management by enterprises and social entities have become more and more important.
(Ⅴ) Concerns for a sustainable targeted poverty alleviation in the long-term
Targeted poverty alleviation is very popular as the positive effects. However, there are still two concerns. One is the current poverty standard is too low, when poor households are out of poverty, there is still possibility of re-poverty. Another is whether the poverty alleviation policy and system can be sustainable.
(Ⅵ) The progress of targeted poverty alleviation needs more scientific arrangement.
As scheduled, the goal of overall poverty reduction should be realized by the end of 2020, which depends on the realization of poverty reduction in each province, especially for those with more poor villages. Therefore, goals of poverty alleviation should be made in each province, county, town, and village. So far, realization of these goals has all been ahead of schedule. According to the plans of several provinces, the first step of poverty reduction will be completed by the end of 2017, leading to a heavy task in the year of 2015 and 2016. This should be analyzed carefully.
(Ⅵ) How to integrate regional development planning and targeted poverty alleviation.
Regional planning is one of the important measures of poverty alleviation and development in China. It shows by the practice in recent three years, regional planning has played a crucial role by motivating the participation of national government ministries. General Secretary Xijinping stressed, the responsibility of leaders in poverty alleviation should be defined clearly. Guided by the central government, provinces, cities and counties should all be motivated. Poor regions are the focus and alleviation should be carried out in both poor villages and poor households. Therefore, regional development planning should be integrated with targeted poverty alleviation.
(Ⅷ)How to combine targeted poverty alleviation with other mechanisms.
Under targeted poverty alleviation, six targets should be coordinated. Besides, it also should be connected with the assessment of poor counties, poverty alleviation with the overall society, poverty alleviation by financial measures, by special funds and funds management.
Original, , 01-30-2016
China has made initial achievement by taking targeted strategies in poverty alleviation, which accelerates the process of poverty alleviation and forms a new system of poverty reduction and alleviation. However, there are several new problems and challenges:
(Ⅰ) Difference and unbalance of regional development
At present, files for poor population have almost been set up nationwide. Some provinces have re-check and adjust the statistics. As a result, the objects of poverty alleviation can be more targeted. Meanwhile, working groups have been set up in 128, 000 poor villages and the first secretary have all been selected. Because of the difference among provinces, counties, and villages, the effects and progress of taking targeted measures for poverty alleviation are also different. This difference is also obvious between highly-focused and generally-focused counties, villages, and households, as well as between the demonstration projects and non-demonstration projects.
(Ⅱ) Vulnerability and external factors have a greater impact on the stability and sustainability of the poverty alleviation
Targeted poverty alleviation has elevated the capability and effects for poverty alleviation, however, vulnerability on Economic development, as well as on natural and social aspects have also increased, leading to the re-poverty in poor population. Main causes include, unexpected natural disasters or diseases traffic accidents and social turbulence Besides, poverty because of educational cost and cost on marriage also has negative impacts on the effectiveness and level of poverty alleviation.
(Ⅲ) The standard of poverty alleviation is still low and the index of poverty alleviation is too simplified
So far, the current standard for poverty population is RMB 2,300, which is obvious too low compared with the increase of both consuming demands and price in rural areas. Moreover, the index of poverty alleviation is too simplified. Although it takes the measure like the four-dimension by Weining in some poor regions of China, as well as the 191712 multidimensional poverty assessment in Gansu province, it is still too simplified when measuring the poor population only by per capital income. Compared with the basic demands to daily life and to public service, this scale is not enough to measure the actual demands in poor villages. Therefore, it is very urgent and necessary to set up a new system to measure poverty and carrying out the multidimensional index.
(Ⅳ) The function of poverty alleviation system should be determined under new situation
On one hand, the division of responsibilities between current work groups, first secretary, cadres in poor villages and the original work group is a key issue for poverty alleviation. So far, there have been problems such as the overlap of job responsibility, job vacancy caused by the lack of clear job responsibility. On the other hand, after the formation of the new poverty alleviation and overall poverty reduction system, the overall management for funds integration, funds utilization and out-of-poverty management by enterprises and social entities have become more and more important.
(Ⅴ) Concerns for a sustainable targeted poverty alleviation in the long-term
Targeted poverty alleviation is very popular as the positive effects. However, there are still two concerns. One is the current poverty standard is too low, when poor households are out of poverty, there is still possibility of re-poverty. Another is whether the poverty alleviation policy and system can be sustainable.
(Ⅵ) The progress of targeted poverty alleviation needs more scientific arrangement.
As scheduled, the goal of overall poverty reduction should be realized by the end of 2020, which depends on the realization of poverty reduction in each province, especially for those with more poor villages. Therefore, goals of poverty alleviation should be made in each province, county, town, and village. So far, realization of these goals has all been ahead of schedule. According to the plans of several provinces, the first step of poverty reduction will be completed by the end of 2017, leading to a heavy task in the year of 2015 and 2016. This should be analyzed carefully.
(Ⅵ) How to integrate regional development planning and targeted poverty alleviation.
Regional planning is one of the important measures of poverty alleviation and development in China. It shows by the practice in recent three years, regional planning has played a crucial role by motivating the participation of national government ministries. General Secretary Xijinping stressed, the responsibility of leaders in poverty alleviation should be defined clearly. Guided by the central government, provinces, cities and counties should all be motivated. Poor regions are the focus and alleviation should be carried out in both poor villages and poor households. Therefore, regional development planning should be integrated with targeted poverty alleviation.
(Ⅷ)How to combine targeted poverty alleviation with other mechanisms.
Under targeted poverty alleviation, six targets should be coordinated. Besides, it also should be connected with the assessment of poor counties, poverty alleviation with the overall society, poverty alleviation by financial measures, by special funds and funds management.
