Culture trains to help fight remaining poverty

Trains promoting local tourism and agricultural products will run through 52 poverty-stricken counties in seven provinces and regions in China's south and northwest in September and October.

Along different train routes, which have yet to be determined, there will be 10 livestreaming events, with artists and hosts introducing local agricultural products and tourism attractions.

Artists from China Oriental Performing Group, China National Traditional Orchestra, China National Symphony Orchestra and hosts from China Media Group will join the effort as volunteers.

Initiated and sponsored by the Central Civilization Office, the Ministry of Culture and Tourism and China Media Group, the special trains and livestreaming promotion are expected to help with poverty alleviation.

Since 2012, the Chinese government has made steady efforts in poverty alleviation through different methods, including developing local industries, relocation of populations and promotion of cultural resources and products.

As of the end of 2019, there were only 52 counties in the country that remain in deep poverty. The total population living in poverty has been reduced from over 98 million in 2012 to 5 million at the end of last year, according to the central government.

The 52 counties are located in the Guangxi Zhuang, Ningxia Hui and Xinjiang Uygur autonomous regions, and in Sichuan, Guizhou, Yunnan and Gansu provinces.