Brief description of its relationship with SDG-1

China achieved its target of eradicating absolute rural poverty through targeted, state-led poverty alleviation campaigns. It serves as a blueprint for state-driven solutions but faces questions regarding urban-rural inequality. (Deng, 2026). 

China’s relationship with SDG 1 (No Poverty) is defined by the world’s largest poverty‑reduction effort, which officially eradicated absolute poverty in rural areas by the end of 2020. Achieved a full decade ahead of the 2030 Agenda deadline, this milestone is widely recognised as a major global contribution: over the past forty years, China has lifted more than 770 million people out of poverty, accounting for roughly 75% of global poverty reduction during that period. As a result, China is considered to have achieved SDG 1 and to be on track or maintaining progress in related areas. 

CURRENT CHALLENGES AND RECENT DEVELOPMENTS 

Despite its major achievements, China still faces several structural challenges. Significant regional imbalances persist, with marked development gaps between the eastern, central, and western provinces. As the country moves beyond the eradication of absolute poverty, the focus is shifting toward addressing relative poverty, ensuring that vulnerable groups are not left behind in the next phase of development. Another key issue is the need to balance poverty‑alleviation efforts with environmental sustainability, including goals such as preventing land degradation. Key initiatives include substantial investment in rural infrastructure, expanding e‑commerce (“Internet Plus”), strengthening social safety nets, and promoting targeted industrial development to support long‑term, inclusive growth. 

LIST OF REFERENCES AND USEFUL LINKS

United Nations in China. (n.d.-a). United Nations in China. Retrieved May 4, 2026, from https://china.un.org/en

United Nations in China. (n.d.-b). Sustainable Development Goal 1: No poverty. Retrieved May 4, 2026, from https://china.un.org/en/sdgs/1

United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs, Statistics Division. (n.d.). SDG country profile: China. United Nations. Retrieved May 4, 2026, from https://unstats.un.org/sdgs/dataportal/countryprofiles/chn

Sustainable Development Solutions Network. (2026). China. Sustainable Development Report 2026. Retrieved July 10, 2026, from https://dashboards.sdgindex.org/profiles/china/

Deng, J. (2026, June 17). China’s global impact on poverty eradication. Alwihda Info. Retrieved August 28, 2026, from https://www.alwihdainfo.com/chinas-global-impact-on-poverty-eradication/