Tianjin introduces new measures to lift residents out of poverty

Tianjin has, as part of efforts to eradicate poverty, rolled out new policies and subsidies to improve the medical care and living conditions of its residents living in impoverished villages, authorities announced at a news conference on July 22.

Each of the 1,041 poverty-stricken villages in the city has received 1.5 million yuan(about $209,953) in funds that will be used to create industries that are suited to each location’s characteristics.

According to Yang Qingsong, a member of the CPC Tianjin Municipal Commission of Rural Affairs, 117 industrial projects with a total investment of 2.66 billion yuan have been established in impoverished villages.

Measures such as branding, expanding marketing channels and online promotions have also been explored to facilitate the development of these projects.

The income and employment generated by these projects are expected to benefit about 20,000 farmers. The authorities estimated that the per capita disposable income of farmers living in impoverished villages will reach the city's median level by the end of the year because of these projects.

Besides helping grow incomes, the government has also bolstered medical services, including helping poverty-stricken residents gain comprehensive medical insurance coverage.

This year, nearly 300,000 needy people have had their medical insurance fully subsidized by the government, according to Gao Lianhuan, deputy head of the Tianjin Municipal Medical Insurance Bureau.

The government has also set up special funds that villages can use to improve infrastructure and the environment.

To ensure a steady supply of water in impoverished villages, the city established a special fund in 2018 to facilitate the construction of water plants, pumping stations and water supply pipeline networks.

All of these projects will be operational by the end of the year, according to the authorities.