ROME – In a landmark address at an international seminar in Rome, China has unveiled its transformative success in eradicating poverty among disabled populations, marking a historic decoupling of disability from economic hardship. Cheng Kai, Chairman of the China Disabled Persons’ Federation, detailed the nation’s achievement in lifting 7.1 million rural residents with disabilities out of poverty during the event titled ‘Sharing Development Rights: China’s Practices in Poverty Reduction for Disabled Persons’.
The seminar, co-hosted by the China Disabled Persons’ Federation, the China International Communications Group, and China’s Permanent Mission to the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), showcased China’s innovative integration of disability inclusion into its national development framework. Cheng emphasized that addressing disability poverty has been central to China’s broader anti-poverty campaign and ongoing consolidation efforts.
‘By achieving this milestone, China has fundamentally disrupted the persistent correlation between disability and poverty through context-specific approaches tailored to our national circumstances,’ Cheng stated. The comprehensive strategy combines targeted poverty alleviation measures with preventive mechanisms against disability-induced economic hardship.
Notably, China’s model aligns with the FAO’s principle of ‘leaving no one behind,’ offering valuable insights for global poverty reduction efforts, particularly in developing nations. Cheng expressed China’s commitment to enhancing multilateral cooperation through deepened dialogue with FAO member states across various sectors.
FAO Director-General Qu Dongyu acknowledged the global significance of China’s accomplishment, noting that approximately 15% of the world’s population lives with disabilities who frequently face barriers to resources, services, and employment, especially in rural areas. ‘China’s practices and achievements provide not only a crucial reference for international agencies and developing countries but also substantially strengthen global confidence in pursuing inclusive development and disability poverty reduction,’ Qu affirmed.
The seminar represents a significant moment in global social development discourse, demonstrating how national strategies can effectively address complex socioeconomic challenges while contributing to international knowledge sharing and cooperative development initiatives.