2015年CRI China Vows to Lift All People out of Poverty by 2020（在线收听）

The Chinese government plans to lift all of its people out of poverty by 2020, a top priority for its next five-year development plan.

Guo Weimin, a senior official from the State Council, saidpoverty relief is a major goal for the next five years.

"Poverty relief remains a top priority for China. The goal of lifting more than 70 million people out of poverty and ensuring no more poor counties exist in China by 2020 remains an arduous task," said Guo.

Hong Tianyun, the deputy director of the State Council Office of Poverty Alleviation and Development, said poverty relief is a major goal for the next five years.

The official says the government will come up with a string of more effective and targeted measures to achieve the goal.

These include launching education campaigns and encouraging financial support.

The goal was revealed ahead of the 23rd International Day for the Eradication of Poverty, coming up on Saturday, which also marks China's second National Poverty Relief Day.

The official adds that some high-profile events will be held around that day, to showcase China's commitment to poverty alleviation.

"As an important agenda for Poverty Alleviation Day this year, a high-level forum on poverty alleviation and development will be held on Oct. 16, one day ahead of Poverty Alleviation Day. I'm very glad to announce here that President Xi Jinping will attend the forum and deliver a keynote speech. President Xi will elaborate on the poverty alleviation measures taken by the Chinese government in the course of building a moderately prosperous society and show China's determination in implementing the Post-2015 Development Agenda," said Hong.

The forum will gather both domestic and international guests, including heads of state and senior representatives from international organizations.

Guo Weimin from the State Council says the Chinese government is willing to share its experience in combating poverty.

"China's poverty alleviation efforts have received great support from the international community, and have also contributed to the international community. The progress China has made has promoted the rapid decrease in the number of poor people in the world. China has become the first developing country to halve its poverty-stricken population, one of the United Nations Millennium Development Goals, and has also helped other countries to achieve these goals," said. Guo.

According to the official, in the past 15 years, China has lifted over 600 million people out of poverty, accounting for about 70 percent of those brought out of poverty worldwide.

Speaking to a United Nations summit last month, President Xi pledged an initial 2 billion U.S. dollars to establish an assistance fund to help developing nations reach the target.