Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka stated that Fiji can greatly benefit from China’s tailored innovative strategies for poverty alleviation to improve community livelihoods. During his visit to the Ningde Poverty Alleviation and Development Exhibition Hall in Ningde City, Fujian Province, he noted that simple survival strategies have played a crucial role in China’s rapid development and growth.
Ningde serves as a key testing ground for President Xi Jinping’s poverty alleviation strategies that aim to enhance the living standards of local villages. These initiatives were initiated by Xi when he was the General Secretary of the Chinese Communist Party nearly 30 years ago. As President, he has prioritized poverty alleviation, emphasizing the need to uplift all Chinese citizens and eliminate extreme poverty.
Prime Minister Rabuka explored various displays at the exhibition hall, including texts, photos, videos, models, and architecture showcasing the dedicated efforts of Ningde’s people to combat poverty over the past three decades under President Xi’s leadership. He learned that Ningde’s success in eradicating poverty is a prime example of China’s broader poverty alleviation initiatives.
Rabuka praised the resilience and determination of the Ningde community, which has led to significant achievements over the years. He also reaffirmed Fiji’s commitment to addressing poverty through targeted initiatives by the Ministry of Women, Children, and Social Protection, which include poverty benefits, social pension schemes, care and protection programs, and food voucher programs.
Furthermore, he highlighted efforts to strengthen the agriculture sector to encourage Fijians to use available land to secure food and enhance livelihoods. Agriculture is pivotal in Fiji’s strategy to eradicate poverty by providing sustainable livelihoods, ensuring food security, creating jobs, and fostering economic growth.