China solidifies achievements in poverty reduction, demonstrates ongoing commitment to rural development

China has successfully prevented large-scale relapse into poverty since the onset of the transitional phase, linking the consolidation of poverty alleviation outcomes with rural revitalization, according to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs.

This achievement underscores the effectiveness of ongoing efforts to consolidate and expand upon the achievements gained in the fight against poverty.

Key indicators demonstrate the sustained progress. The dropout rates in compulsory education remain at zero among students from former impoverished families and those monitored for potential poverty relapse.

Healthcare coverage remains high, with over 99 percent of the former impoverished population and low-income rural residents enrolled in basic medical insurance.

Housing improvements continue, with steady progress in renovating dilapidated and earthquake-prone rural homes.

Access to safe drinking water remains universal, with a rural tap water penetration rate of 94 percent.

These achievements in ensuring former poverty-stricken to have reliable access to compulsory education, basic medical services, and safe housing and drinking water demonstrate a continued commitment to improving living standards in rural areas.

Economic development in former impoverished areas is also showing positive results.

All the 832 former impoverished counties have established leading industries, generating a total output value exceeding 1.7 trillion yuan (about 237 billion U.S. dollars). Nearly three-quarters of the former impoverished population have established profit-sharing mechanisms with new agricultural businesses.

Furthermore, the number of jobs for the former impoverished workforce remains at above 30 million for four consecutive years.

These combined efforts are solidifying China's progress in poverty reduction and building a foundation for sustainable rural development.

Over the past decades, China has lifted 800 million people out of poverty, achieving the poverty reduction goals of the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development a full decade ahead of schedule.

From 2012 onwards, China has annually raised over 10 million people out of poverty, equivalent to the population of a medium-sized nation, translating to one individual escaping poverty every three seconds.

China solidifies achievements in poverty reduction, demonstrates ongoing commitment to rural development

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky wasn't in Washington just to make a deal, but also to seek justice, said a Ukrainian analyst regarding the open clash between U.S. President Donald Trump and Zelensky at the White House on Friday.

Zelensky was scheduled to sign a minerals deal with Trump before the meeting took a dramatic turn, leading to a rare shouting match between the two sides at the White House.

Following the televised confrontation, Zelensky was asked to leave the White House early, leaving the planned minerals deal unsigned.

During the fiery exchange, Trump claimed that Zelensky had no cards, while the Ukrainian president -- whose voice was barely audible over Trump's shouting -- was heard responding that he was not playing cards.

"I think the key card of Zelensky is the resistance of the Ukrainian people, and it's primarily because of this incredible resistance. And I think Zelensky was right that he didn't come (to Washington) to play the cards. It's not a question of making a deal just for the sake of the deal. I think Zelensky and Ukrainians seek justice," said Volodymyr Yermolenko, president of Pen Ukraine and a professor at the National University of Kyiv-Mohyla Academy, in an interview with China Global Television Network (CGTN) in Kiev.

Regarding the defense summit in London on Sunday, which gathered European leaders, including Zelensky, to discuss a peace plan for Ukraine, Yermolenko noted that Europe can no longer fully rely on the U.S. and that Ukraine plays a key role in Europe's security.

"The security of Europe depends on the security of Ukraine. Now, the situation is becoming much harsher because Europeans can no longer fully rely on American support, even military support. But technically, Europe is not ready, (its) military is not ready, and it should really act fast. And the Ukrainian army is the strongest army in Europe, and now the security of Europe also depends on Ukraine," he said.

Zelensky pursued justice rather than only deal on U.S. trip: Ukrainian analyst