Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka has stated that Fiji can benefit greatly from China’s customized and innovative poverty alleviation strategies to improve community livelihoods. During his visit to the Ningde Poverty Alleviation and Development Exhibition Hall in Fujian Province, he remarked that basic survival strategies have played a significant role in China’s rapid development and growth.
Ningde serves as an important testing ground for President Xi Jinping’s poverty alleviation efforts aimed at enhancing the living standards of local villages. These initiatives began nearly 30 years ago, when Xi was the General Secretary of the Chinese Communist Party. As President, he has focused on poverty alleviation as a fundamental aspect of his governance, prioritizing the improvement of living conditions for all Chinese citizens and the eradication of extreme poverty.
Rabuka explored various historical displays at the exhibition hall, which included texts, photos, videos, models, and architectural representations that depicted the targeted poverty reduction efforts taking place in Ningde over the last three decades, guided by President Xi. He learned that Ningde’s success in poverty eradication exemplifies China’s broader initiatives in this area.
He praised the resilience and perseverance of the Ningde people, whose efforts have yielded significant results. Rabuka also highlighted Fiji’s commitment to tackling poverty through various initiatives under the Ministry of Women, Children and Social Protection, including poverty benefits, social pension schemes, care and protection programs, and food vouchers.
Furthermore, he emphasized the importance of strengthening the agricultural sector in Fiji, encouraging citizens to make use of available land to enhance food security and improve their livelihoods. Agriculture is central to Fiji’s efforts to eliminate poverty, providing sustainable livelihoods, food security, employment opportunities, and avenues for economic growth.