China's achievements in the anti-poverty cause have been impressive. A pledge to consistently push forward poverty alleviation policies has made us confident that the now impoverished population will soon lead better lives, said an editorial in People's Daily. An excerpt follows:

China announced its first batch of recipients of the China Poverty Eradication Award on October 17, International Day for the Eradication of Poverty. Eighteen institutions and individuals were honored for their tremendous contributions to China's anti-poverty campaign. This suggests that the poverty-relief cause has become more important in the pantheon of policy issues in China.

The Chinese Government and the people have paid unremitting and enduring efforts to fight poverty. During the anti-poverty campaign from 1978 to 2003, China hauled 220 million people out of abject poverty. The percentage of poor among the rural population also dropped to 3.1 percent from 30.7 percent. Poverty reduction has been achieved on a scale unprecedented in human history. Despite all the achievements, we should keep a clear eye of the challenges ahead. At the moment, the poor are only guaranteed some basic living needs for food, shelter and clothing. Yet there is still a long and arduous journey ahead before these needy people will be able to lead a more decent life.

In the past four years, China's reduction of poverty has actually slowed down. As most of the poor are dotted in some scarcely populated places with the least favorable natural conditions, it is harder to climb out and harder to measure how much has been achieved so far. China should take advantage of current achievements, providing more financial support and encouraging more cooperation between government officials and people at the grass roots.

(China Daily October 19, 2004)