China’s Poverty Alleviation: A Global Beacon of Hope and Debate

China’s Unprecedented Role in Global Poverty Reduction

As the G20 Summit convenes to tackle global poverty, hunger, and inequality, China’s remarkable achievements in poverty alleviation are taking center stage. Over the past four decades, China has lifted nearly 800 million people out of extreme poverty, accounting for approximately 75 percent of the global reduction since 1978. This scale and speed of poverty reduction are described as historically unprecedented.

Key Takeaways

China has lifted approximately 800 million people out of extreme poverty in the last 40 years.
The country’s poverty reduction efforts contribute about 75 percent of the global total since 1978.
Rural disposable incomes in formerly impoverished counties have seen significant growth.
International forums highlight China’s expertise in poverty governance and rural revitalization.
Critiques exist regarding the metrics used by international organizations like the World Bank to measure poverty.

A Global Forum on Poverty Governance

The 2025 International Forum on Poverty Governance and Global Development, held in Yunnan Province, brought together around 300 diplomats, policymakers, and development experts from 34 countries and international organizations. The forum focused on sharing China’s poverty reduction expertise to inform global poverty governance, with the theme "Together Promote Rural Revitalization and Common Development." Participants discussed how China’s experience can provide insights for tackling poverty worldwide, emphasizing the importance of rural revitalization and balanced urban-rural development.

Critiques of Global Poverty Metrics

While global poverty has seen a significant reduction, with extreme poverty falling from nearly 2 billion in 1990 to around 8 percent today, some analyses suggest that current measurement methodologies, particularly the World Bank’s $2.15 per day threshold, may be flawed. These metrics are criticized for potentially underestimating the true extent of deprivation, as individuals just above the line may still lack basic necessities. Issues such as inflation, varying definitions of essential goods across cultures, and data collection challenges in fragile states contribute to these concerns. A call has been made to revise the global poverty threshold to a more realistic figure, such as $7 per day, to provide a clearer picture of actual poverty levels.

China’s Development Model and Global Impact

China’s poverty alleviation strategy, centered on "targeted poverty alleviation," has been lauded by UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres as "the greatest anti-poverty achievement in history." The country’s approach combines rapid economic growth with tangible improvements in well-being, tailoring solutions to local conditions. Initiatives like the Juncao technology, which enables mushroom cultivation using grass, have been successfully implemented in countries like Rwanda, empowering farmers and improving food security. The Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) has also supported infrastructure, education, and healthcare projects in over 160 countries, creating jobs and fostering inclusive growth. China has trained over 400,000 professionals globally in poverty alleviation and development, and offers zero-tariff treatment for 100 percent of tariff lines to least developed countries, underscoring its commitment to common prosperity and shared development.