Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka has highlighted the valuable lessons Fiji can draw from China’s tailored poverty alleviation strategies to boost community livelihoods. During his visit to the Ningde Poverty Alleviation and Development Exhibition Hall in Fujian Province, he acknowledged that simple survival strategies have played a significant role in China’s rapid development and growth.
Ningde serves as a crucial site for testing President Xi Jinping’s poverty alleviation strategies, which have actively improved the living standards of local villages. These initiatives began about 30 years ago when Xi was the General Secretary of the Chinese Communist Party, and they have since become a fundamental aspect of his presidency, focusing on enhancing the lives of all citizens and lifting them out of extreme poverty.
While exploring the exhibition hall, which features texts, photos, videos, models, and architectural displays, Rabuka learned about the targeted poverty alleviation efforts in Ningde over the last three decades, guided by President Xi. He remarked that Ningde’s success story stands as a prime example of China’s comprehensive poverty reduction efforts.
Rabuka praised the local population for their resilience and determination, which have led to significant achievements. He stated, “Fiji is committed to addressing poverty through specific initiatives under the Ministry of Women, Children and Social Protection, including poverty benefits and social pension schemes, care and protection, and food voucher programs, among others.”
Furthermore, he emphasized the importance of strengthening the agriculture sector in Fiji, encouraging residents to utilize available land to enhance food security and improve livelihoods. Agriculture plays a crucial role in Fiji’s poverty alleviation strategy by providing sustainable livelihoods, ensuring food security, creating job opportunities, and fostering economic growth.