President Xi Jinping on Friday reiterated China's resolve to completely eradicate poverty within its borders in the next six years. The 2016-2020 development plan targets about 70 million citizens, particularly people in rural areas currently living in poverty. 

China's rapid economic growth in the last decade has seen more than 600 people lifted above the poverty line, Xi said. The achievement accounts for 70 percent of the global success in reducing poverty.

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Nonetheless, a large percent of Chinese citizens still live below the poverty line - particularly those in the countryside who earn 2,300 Yuan ($376)or below annually.

The urban-rural gap has created a situation where young people migrate into the cities to search for jobs - leaving mostly children and old people in the villages.

The United Nations (UN) has commended China for being the first developing country to achieve the Millennium Development Goal of reducing the population of those living in poverty by half before 2015.

"Despite the achievements, China remains the world's biggest developing country, and to narrow the urban-rural gap remains a big challenge for us," President Xi said on Friday at the Global Poverty Reduction and Development Forum in Beijing.

He admitted that the fight to completely eradicate poverty from China will be difficult. However, the government will enact policies that will support the public and officials in fighting poverty, Xi said. These policies include financial support, educational campaigns, health care and public platforms to mobilize people against poverty.

Xi, 62, touched on his experience living in rural China as a young official. He stressed that fighting to eradicate poverty will be a government priority post-2015.

China plans to lift about one million people out of poverty per month.

Xi's announcement comes ahead of Saturday's commemoration of the 23rd International Day for the Eradication of Poverty - when China will also celebrate the second National Poverty Relief Day.

Beijing has been a major player in the global fight against poverty eradication, despite its own domestic challenges. The government has increasingly supported developing countries in the fight to alleviate poverty.

The Chinese treasury reportedly pumped more money into poverty relief funds this year. Last month, while speaking at the UN, President Xi pledged that China will create a $2 billion fund to assist developing nations in the fight against poverty.

The government has also announced plans to cancel all due interest free loans that the least developed and heavily-indebted countries owe China.

Xi said China will continue to cooperate with underdeveloped countries to fight poverty.

TagsChina Poverty Eradication, China 2016-2020 development plan, China Eradicate Poverty 2020, United Nations (UN) Millennium Development Goal Poverty Reduction China, Global Poverty Reduction and Development Forum, China National Poverty Relief Day, 23rd International Day for the Eradication of Poverty