In both the economic and political spheres, China’s role has significantly changed in the last thirty years. Today, China constantly makes headlines across the world about its booming economy and increasing global presence. China recently surpassed Japan as the world’s second largest economy, showing its economic significance. And as one of the permanent members of the United Nation’s Security Council, China has an important voice in international affairs. There is no arguing that China is on the rise and has experienced tremendous success in recent years.
HOWEVER, what we don't often hear of is the economic disparity that exists between the urban and rural areas in China. Shanghai, Beijing, and other east coast cities in China are home to 64 of the worlds’ billionaires (1). BUT in the Yunnan Province, there are villages without access to fresh drinking water. In the cities, General Motors has sold more cars in one quarter in China than in America (2). BUT in the villages of Yunnan, citizens don’t have bathrooms or sinks (rather, they go to the bathroom in the fields or animal pens, and they rarely wash their hands).
China’s new-found wealth and power does not extend to all four corners of the country – especially not the Southwest, mountain region of the Yunnan Province. The rural areas of China are still suffering from immense poverty. And the villagers – often illiterate – are cast into the shadows. The world sees China as a rising global power, but in rural Yunnan we find villages without water, horrible hygiene and sanitation, and children without educational opportunities.
In 2005, World Bank economists estimated that over 208 million rural Chinese be classified as “absolute poor” – making it the second largest population of absolute poor people after India. For this reason, the World Bank recently reasserted its classification of China as a DEVELOPING COUNTRY. Even as he praised China for its partnership and accomplishments over past years, the World Bank President stated last week, “there are still many people in China's poor rural areas that don't even have access to electricity (3).”
Thank you for looking past the headlines of the urban rich and partnering with CWEF to reach the otherwise forgotten rural poor people in China. CWEF is working to decrease the 208 million absolute poor, by empowering the rural villagers in Yunnan through education and service. And we are thankful that you are a part of it.
To read the World Bank Article published in the China Daily on 9 Sept 2010, please see the following link: http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/bizchina/2010-09/08/content_11274679.htm
(2)http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/international-business/GM-says-China-sales-overtake-US-for-first-time/articleshow/6119729.cms
(3) World Bank Article -
http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/bizchina/2010-09/08/content_11274679.htm
http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/bizchina/2010-09/08/content_11274679.htm
