Fiji has the potential to significantly enhance community livelihoods by adopting specific poverty alleviation strategies that China has developed. During a visit to the Ningde Poverty Alleviation and Development Exhibition Hall in Fujian Province, Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka highlighted the importance of basic survival skills in China’s rapid development.
President Xi Jinping has chosen Ningde as a key site for testing policies aimed at decreasing poverty and improving living standards in local villages. Approximately thirty years ago, during his tenure as the Chinese Communist Party’s general secretary, Xi initiated these poverty reduction efforts. As President, he has made it a priority to enhance the lives of all Chinese citizens, focusing on lifting individuals out of extreme poverty.
At the exhibition hall, Prime Minister Rabuka observed historical displays showcasing the tenacious poverty alleviation efforts made by Ningde residents over the past decades, including text, images, films, and models. He was informed that Ningde’s story exemplifies China’s overall poverty alleviation achievements, and he commended the local community for their resilience.
In Fiji, the Ministry of Women, Children, and Social Protection is actively fighting poverty through various initiatives, such as food voucher programs, care and protection services, social pension plans, and poverty benefits. The government is also enhancing the agricultural sector to encourage citizens to utilize land more effectively, thereby improving livelihoods and food security. Agriculture plays a crucial role in Fiji’s efforts to eradicate poverty by providing opportunities for economic development, employment, and sustainable living.