Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka has highlighted Fiji’s potential to benefit from China’s tailored poverty alleviation strategies to boost community wellbeing. During his visit to the Ningde Poverty Alleviation and Development Exhibition Hall in Fujian Province, he noted that the fundamental survival strategies employed in China have played a significant role in the country’s rapid development.
Ningde serves as a crucial testing ground for the poverty alleviation initiatives introduced by Chinese President Xi Jinping, which aim to enhance the living standards of local villages. These initiatives were first introduced when Xi was the General Secretary of the Chinese Communist Party nearly three decades ago, and as President, he has prioritized poverty alleviation as a key aspect of his governance, focusing on improving the lives of all citizens and eradicating extreme poverty.
While at the exhibition, Rabuka examined historical displays depicting the targeted poverty alleviation efforts implemented in Ningde over the past thirty years, guided by President Xi. He learned that Ningde’s success story in poverty eradication exemplifies the broader efforts across China in this area.
The Prime Minister praised the resilience and determination of Ningde’s residents, which have yielded positive results over the years. He also reassured that Fiji is dedicated to tackling poverty through various programs led by the Ministry of Women, Children and Social Protection. These include poverty benefits, social pension schemes, care and protection initiatives, and food voucher programs.
Additionally, Rabuka emphasized the importance of strengthening the agricultural sector in Fiji, encouraging citizens to make use of available land to achieve food security and enhance their livelihoods. Agriculture plays a vital role in Fiji’s strategy to eradicate poverty by providing sustainable livelihoods, food security, job opportunities, and avenues for economic development.