China continues to unite, eliminate poverty

SEEPHEEPHE MAHAO

MASERU: The Peoples’ Republic of China reached its desired target of ensuring people’s wellbeing in the past year by increasing the disposable income of residents per capita by 6.1 percent while the income gap between urban and rural residents continued to narrow.

The Chinese Premier Li Qiang said this on his report of the work of the government on Tuesday this week on the Second Session of the 14th National People’s Congress of the People’s Republic of China.

The country increased subsidies for compulsory education, basic old-age insurance and basic medical insurance in rural areas that were lifted out of poverty in their bit to ensure national wellbeing. Over 66 million taxpayers benefited from an increase in the special additional deductions for individual income tax, which cover children nursing expenses, children’s education, and elderly care expenses.

“We doubled efforts to renovate old urban residential compounds and develop government-subsidized housing, benefitting over 10 million households. Looking back at 2023, we can see that as we faced an array of interwoven difficulties and challenges, China’s economy grew in a wave-like fashion amid twists and turns. Indeed, our achievements did not come easily”.  Li said

Over 66 million taxpayers benefited from an increase in the special additional deductions for individual income tax, which cover children nursing expenses, children’s education, and elderly care expenses.

Li acknowledged the entire nation for their concerted efforts to accomplish the 2023 development goals and embracing positive changes on acquiring a deeper understanding of the laws governing economic work in the new era and gained valuable experience in overcoming major difficulties.

“All this demonstrates that under the strong leadership of the CPC Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core, the Chinese people have the courage, vision, and strength to meet any challenge and overcome any obstacle. There is no doubt that in pursuing development, China will continue to surge ahead and advance towards a great future”. He added 

On his report, China’s gross domestic product (GDP) surpassed 126 trillion yuan, an increase of 5.2 percent, ranking China among the fastest-growing major economies in the world. A total of 12.44million urban jobs were created, and the average urban unemployment rate stood at 5.2 percent.

In 2023, China implemented the guiding principles from the 20th CPC National Congress and the Second Plenary Session of the 20th CPC Central Committee. The country carried out a number of tasks in accordance with the decisions and plans of the Party Central Committee, which include:

1. Strengthened macro regulation and promoted steady economic recovery and growth.
2. China promoted their industrial upgrading through innovation and gained new momentum for coordinated urban-rural and regional development,
3. Deepened reform, expanded opening up and continued to improve the business environment.
4. Stepped up efforts to protect and improve the environment and accelerated the transition to a model of green development,
5. Made every effort to ensure public wellbeing and advanced the development of social programs,
6. Worked to improve government performance across the board and redoubled efforts to enhance governance.

China is pursuing the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative, and the Global Civilization Initiative with other members of the international community in order to promote their goal of shared values of humanity, reform the global governance system and building a human community with a shared future.