This open access book explores the historical cultural and philosophical contexts that have
made anti-poverty the core of Chinese society since Liberation in 1949 and why poverty
alleviation measures evolved from the simplistic aid of the 1950s to Xi Jinping's precision
poverty alleviation and its goal of eliminating absolute poverty by 2020. The book also
addresses the implications of China's experience for other developing nations tackling not only
poverty but such issues as pandemics rampant urbanization and desertification exacerbated by
global warming. The first of three parts draws upon interviews of rural and urban Chinese from
diverse backgrounds and local and national leaders. These interviews conducted in even the
remotest areas of the country offer candid insights into the challenges that have forced China
to continually evolve its programs to resolve even the most intractable cases of poverty. The
second part explores the historic cultural and philosophical roots of old China's meritocratic
government and how its ancient Chinese ethics have led to modern Chinese socialism's stance
that poverty amidst plenty is immoral. Dr. Huang Chengwei one of China's foremost anti-poverty
experts explains the challenges faced at each stage as China's anti-poverty measures evolved
over 70 years to emphasize enablement over aid and to foster bottom-up initiative and
entrepreneurialism culminating in Xi Jinping's precision poverty alleviation. The book also
addresses why national economic development alone cannot reduce poverty poverty alleviation
programs must be people-centered with measurable and accountable practices that reach even to
household level which China has done with its First Secretary program. The third part explores
the potential for adopting China's practices in other nations including the potential for
replicating China's successes in developing countries through such measures as the Belt and
Road Initiative. This book alsoaddresses prevalent misperceptions about China's growing global
presence and why other developing nations must address historic systemic causes of poverty and
inequity before they can undertake sustainable poverty alleviation measures of their own.
