Setting the Social and Environmental Agenda in China: Why is it Important?

Prof. Zuo Ting of the China Agricultural University and the China Center for Poverty Reduction and Development discussed three main topics: (i) the general situation of poverty in the PRC; (ii) poverty incidence in poverty-stricken areas and environmental sensitive areas; and (iii) eco-protection for poverty reduction agenda after 2015. Since 1980, development and anti-poverty initiatives in the PRC have made great achievements—e.g., 70 million people in the country have been taken out of poverty, and poverty incidence rate fell from 43.1% to 13.0% in 2010. However, poverty remains a challenge, particularly in the western part of the PRC. After the 18th Congress of the Communist Party of China in 2012, the eco-protection for poverty reduction agenda is gradually being established, with President Xi Jinping prioritizing eco-environment, eco-civilization listed as among the main tasks, and the concept of green development proposed in the 13th Five-Year Plan.