Poverty In China
588 million people live in extreme poverty which is equivalent to eight per cent of the world’s population. Currently in Asia, 2.7 per cent of its population live in extreme poverty. As for China, 0.3 per cent of its population live in extreme poverty. This is lower than the US’s 0.5 per cent and marginally higher than the UK’s 0.2 per cent. Africa tops the list with an alarming 33.8 per cent. This percentage is still increasing. With guidance from your economics tutor Singapore in economics tuition Singapore, discuss the possible solutions to extreme poverty in the world.
Recently, a CNN report about a college student in China died of long-time malnutrition raised international concerns about the poverty situation in China. The student, who had no parents to support her financially lived on a monthly social security programme allowance of merely RMB300 per month for both herself and her mentally ill younger brother. Government transfers including the social security programme can be one of the solutions to extreme poverty. You may consult your economics tutor Singapore in your economics tuition class about the various government transfers in different countries.
Could Something Have Been Done?
Wu Huayan died at age 24. A third-year student at Guizhou Forerunner College, Wu was much shorter than her peers, only 135cm tall. Her weight was only 21.6kg. Both a result of long-time malnutrition due to extreme poverty. In the past years, Wu had adopted an extremely frugal lifestyle, skipping breakfast and eating only rice with chilli for other meals, in order to save as much money as possible for his younger brother.
In October 2019, Wu was admitted to hospital. It was only then her plight was brought to the public light. Despite the fundraising effort by a Beijing-based charity which received overwhelming response from the Chinese community, Wu’s health deteriorated. She passed away on 13 January 2020. In discussion with your economics tutor Singapore in economics tuition Singapore, compare the situations in China with other developing countries in Asia.
Wu’s death has sparked outrage all over the world, especially among social media users in China. Many questioned if anything could have been done by her school or the local government of Guizhou.
Government’s Effort To Eradicate Poverty
Chinese President Xi Jinping vowed to eradicate poverty in China by end of 2020. Since 2015, the anti-poverty campaign has seen 775,000 party officials mobilised to drive the campaign. However, it is easier said than done. By end of 2018, there were still close to 17 million people in China living below the poverty line. These people had to survive on an annual income of less than RMB2,300 per person. To learn about the definition of poverty, you may sign up for economics tuition Singapore with a reputable economics tutor Singapore. Economics Cafe Learning Centre is the best economics tuition centre in Singapore. Founded by its principal economics tutor, Mr Edmund Quek, the economics tuition centre is conveniently located within five minutes’ walk from the Bishan MRT Station.
China is currently the world’s second largest economy and is expected to surpass the United States to become the world’s largest economy in time to come. Together with the growing economy, the income gap between metropolitan cities like Beijing, and Shanghai and rural areas like Guizhou and Gansu has been widening further. According to the International Monetary Fund, China has become “one of the world’s most unequal countries”. Income inequality is not only an economic problem but also a social problem. If not dealt with properly, it may lead to social unrest and bring about significant negative impact on its economy. Income equality is covered in Mr Edmund Quek’s economics tuition Singapore. You may visit the economics tutor Singapore’s website at www.economicscafe.com.sg for his economics tuition class schedule.
In closing, China’s combat against poverty has a long way to go. There are still many families like Wu’s in rural parts of China. More help must be rendered before another tragic death.
Vincent Chew
Economics Tuition Singapore @ Economics Cafe
Principal Economics Tutor: Mr. Edmund Quek