Chongqing- The year 2020 presents a decisive stage in the challenge of poverty alleviation in China. In the space of a few years, achievements in this endeavor mean that progress is almost a decade ahead of schedule for the UN 2030 sustainable development goals, having lifted a billion people into a more equitable society. This feat has earned the recognition and praise of the international community. It serves as a model for other countries to follow, especially in light of the One Belt One Road initiative.

In recent years, China implements the policy of 'Two non-concerns and three guarantees' which has improved the lives of rural households. Namely, these goals are to ensure rural poor people have no worry about food and clothing and have access to compulsory education, basic medical services, and safe housing.

As part of a new series documenting the progress of poverty alleviation, we at iChongqing will bring you the personal stories of rural households in the municipality, and how policy has benefited in the endeavor to improve their lives. 

We traveled to the village of Huaxi in Shizhu county to meet with households and villagers who have achieved business success thanks to policies aimed at eradicating poverty. We aimed to learn first hand about and share their personal experiences as they strive to break free of debt with the aid of government policy.

Household of Tan Dengzhou lives free of poverty concerns under the support of rural policy

In previous years, Mr. Tan and his wife worked their acre of farmland growing corn and potatoes, in addition to rearing pigs and chickens. They had achieved a basic level of self-suffiency, and managed to climb out of poverty back in 2016, However, Mr. Tan suffered a fall in early 2018 that required a four month stay in hospital, and effectively rendered him unable to perform physical work on his land. His wife Mrs. Jiao Guangrun also suffers from asthma and rheumatism, so the accident, a medical bill of 150,000 Yuan, and inability to work meant they once again fell into poverty due to illness.

Fortunately, under the new policy of 'Two non-concerns, three guarantees,' Mr. Tan was now eligible for a government healthcare insurance scheme that resolves the two main obstacles rural households experience, difficulties in access and the expense involved in seeking medical care.

Through the new medical insurance scheme available under this policy, Mr. Tan successfully claimed 140,000 Yuan. The local village committee put down the remaining 10,000 Yuan that he couldn't afford.

Now the issue of medical expenses was resolved, the family still faced a life of poverty because of their inability to work. However, rural policy set up a number of dependable income sources that enabled their household to finally break free of poverty, and enjoy a life of relative comfort.

Under a pilot scheme, farmers can take a dividend share from produce grown on their land, which in Mr. Tan's case brought in a sum of 960 Yuan. He also began receiving government subsidies that totalled around 3000 Yuan for staples and his location in a remote area. On a monthly basis, he now also receives a minimum income payment of 740 Yuan, a pension allowance of 240 Yuan, and a public service role that earns 500 Yuan. Under these policies, the household of Mr. Tan no longer worries for food, clothing, and has personally experienced the benefits of rural medical insurance.

The right to quality housing is also guaranteed under new government policy in rural areas. In 2018, local officials arranged a survey of home, and classed the property as an unsafe category C structure, and eligible for a new renovation program to strengthen the building, conduct repairs, restyle the appearance, and improve the decor in three rooms.

Mr. Tan expressed his gratitude for policies that now allow his family to enjoy a comfortable lifestyle free of poverty, and revealed his deep appreciation for the gesture of President Xi's visit. In our interview, he spoke with admirable enthusiasm and presence of mind, as he described the improvements they have experienced in everyday life. Despite old age and the inability to work, they are now living testament of how the drive to allieve poverty has achieved success in Zhongyi Township. 

Following our visit to the household of Mr. Tan, we looked into how the promotion of economic activity and innovation is allowing rural communities to earn their way out of poverty.

Apiculture contributes to household income as life continues to improve in Zhongyi Township

In his early days, Mr. Zhang Jianfeng led a meager existence in the then impoverished and isolated township of Zhongyi. He grew up in a mud-brick house with roof tiles that regularly leaked rainwater. There were no utilities in those days, so his family had to draw water from an unclean well, heat with coal and firewood, and light the hours of darkness without electricity. The road to Shizhu City was an arduous journey of up to six hours over dirt tracks inaccessible by car, quite an ordeal by comparison to the mere hour it takes nowadays.

Times have changed. The policy to guarantee quality housing meant that local authorities replaced the tiles in his roof, filled cracks in the walls, and decorated the exterior to match other homes in the town. On the inside, his family now enjoys the modern amenities of running water, gas, electricity, and even internet access.

Mr. Zhang was assessed to be an impoverished household back in 2014, at which time he was raising two young sons while also caring for his elderly mother following a divorce. A few years later, in 2017, he suffered a tumor that forced him to undergo expensive surgery in Chongqing. Fortunately, he was then able to claim most of the 110,000 Yuan in medical expenses through a government health insurance scheme. At the same time, the local authorities collected donations from well-wishers to help Mr. Zhang cover the remaining sum he could barely afford.

During our interview in a square outside the village post office, we sensed from his voice a feeling of contentment as he answered our questions with enthusiastic vigor, coupled with the pleasant surprise of meeting his first overseas visit to Zhongyi Town. 

It was last year that Mr. Zhang began learning the art of apiculture. To increase rural incomes, spur on the economy, and develop the area into the 'Honey Valley of China,' the local government organized professionals to teach local households in bee-keeping and how to produce honey. Despite some technical challenges during the process, Mr. Zhang now has a firm grasp of the trade. 

The strikingly yellow beehives are visible in the fields around Zhongyi Town, and Mr. Zhang explained how he learned to build them by hand using local wood and necessary tools. Though it was slightly unfortunate, the hives were empty at the time of the interview, and we did take a closer look at some examples inside his home where he was keeping a few in wait.

All in all, Mr. Zhang receives income from selling chilies grown on his plot of land, his role as a local forest ranger, and a share dividend from honey production in the village. When you factor in the benefits of health insurance, land, and education subsidies, Mr. Zhang speaks with gratitude on how government policy saved his family and has confidence that he is now out of poverty for good.

In his youth, Mr. Zhang only received education until he graduated from primary school. Although a return to the classroom is out of the question for him, his elder son now attends the first year of junior school. There is no longer reason to curtail education due to a lack of financial resources since the policy of 'Two on concerns and three guarantees' includes the right to quality education. As our interview concluded, he expressed his wish that his son finishes university, and has the opportunity to pursue his dreams, wherever that may take him.