But perhaps the most significant achievement is that China has already overcome many of the simplest challenges in tackling poverty. Many Chinese who were just below the poverty line have since been helped over it.

And though in the past China could target its poverty reduction efforts to geographical regions, this is no longer feasible because poverty has become more geographically dispersed. With such stark challenges on the horizon, poverty alleviation has been high on Premier Li's agenda at the ongoing two sessions, and he has announced several key measures to aid China's bid to eliminate poverty.

Li said Beijing intends to increase poverty alleviation funding by 43.4 percent; build or upgrade 200,000 kilometers of rural roads; and work toward reducing excess food stockpiles.

In addition, one of the most significant developments during the annual political season has been the draft of China's first charity law. Philanthropy has rapidly gained momentum in the nation over the past decade, growing from 10 billion yuan (about $1.5 billion) in 2006 to 100 billion yuan ($15 billion) in 2014.

The new charity bill would encourage more charity donations by allowing more charities to receive donations from the public. Currently, there are few charity organizations—such as the the Red Cross Society of China—that are allowed to raise donations from the public; others can only raise funds from a specific group of donors.

The bill also include policies to incentivize donations, such as tax deductions, and it seeks to ensure greater trust by improving charitable organizations' management structures, setting guidelines for information disclosure, and eliminating corruption.

Throughout China's struggles to tackle poverty, charity has been an untapped resource. But Li Jianguo, vice chairman of the National People's Congress (NPC) Standing Committee, said charitable programs will be "indispensable" in the future fight against poverty.

Though China has an incredible history of poverty alleviation success, as Premier Li and delegates at the two sessions focus on eliminating poverty, they will be aware that some of the most complex and stubborn obstacles are still to come.

Colin Robinson is an experienced writer and editor. He has a bachelor's degree in government and politics from Newcastle University and a master's degree in online journalism from the University of Sheffield.