ABSTRACT
Social issues feature prominently in any evaluation of rural development in China. This chapter discusses the areas poverty, alleviation and the environment. China's poverty alleviation network is co-ordinated by the State Council but extends into many ministries under it. This reflects the wide range of poverty alleviation measures used by China including: education and health; infrastructure development (land improvement, water supply and conservation, roads, power); migration; and research and extension. China is recognised as having made remarkable achievements in poverty alleviation. The number of absolute poor is estimated to have decreased from 250 million in 1978 to around 34 million in 2000. Despite the shift in emphasis, agriculture (and agro-industry) remains a central aspect of poverty alleviation measures. Thus, the State Council Poverty Alleviation Office reports directly to the State Council, but it is housed within the Ministry of Agriculture.
