China maintains commitment to combat poverty in rural areas

China is confident that under the strong leadership of the CPC Central Committee it will win the battle against poverty, Tuo Zhen, spokesman of the 19th CPC National Congress, said on Tuesday.

"Whether we can build a moderately prosperous society, the key lies in the rural population," he said. "It depends on if the poor population living in the rural areas can be lifted out of poverty."

To lift all of the rural population living in poverty by the current standard by 2020 is a solid commitment made by the Party, and is a hard target that has to be achieved, Tuo added.

"We will emphasize real efforts, real progress and real results in poverty alleviation," said Tuo. "To ensure the impact of poverty alleviation work will truly win the recognition of the people and stand the test of history."

President Xi Jinping has made it a key aim that no one should be left behind in building the moderately prosperous society in all respects, he added.

Xi has presided over 17 meetings and conducted 25 surveys on poverty alleviation.

Since the 18th CPC National Congress, to win the battle against poverty, the CPC Central Committee and the State Council have rolled out a series of measures and united the efforts of the Party and the country in advancing poverty alleviation.

In the four years to the end of 2016, the number of people living in poverty fell from 98.9 million to 43.3 million.

"We are firmly opposed to the manipulation of numbers and results in poverty alleviation," Tuo said. "We have implemented the strictest performance evaluation standards and strengthened discipline inspection and supervision on poverty alleviation."

Those who commit acts of dishonesty and frauds in poverty alleviation will be held accountable, he added.