Guangxi lifts 950,000 people out of poverty in 2017

South China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region lifted 950,000 people out of poverty in 2017, according to the regional government.

Twelve-year-old Meng Wenchao (L) and his friends lie on the roof in Nonglei Village of Dahua Yao Autonomous County, south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Sept. 3, 2017. In 2015, Meng moved from his isolated home in mountainous area to a new house near a road. Due to harsh environmental conditions such as the stony desertification and mountainous landform, Guangxi has long been a less developed area in China. In recent years, local government carried out many measurements for the poverty alleviation work. Tens of thousands of officials and staff members helped local people build roads, repair houses, improve education and industry development. In 2016, more than 1.11 million people were liberated from poverty. The poverty-stricken population in the region has declined from 10.12 million in 2010 to current 3.638 million. [Photo/Xinhua]

The autonomous region made progress in fostering the development of new industries and increased poverty alleviation funds last year.

The proportion of people living below the poverty line dropped 2.2 percentage points to 5.7 percent in 2017.

China has set 2020 as the year to finish building a "moderately prosperous society" and to completely eradicate poverty.