China has broken disability-poverty link, Rome seminar hears

China has successfully lifted 7.1 million rural residents with disabilities out of poverty and has integrated disability inclusion into its national development strategy, said Cheng Kai, chairman of the China Disabled Persons' Federation during an event held on Wednesday in Rome, Italy.

Cheng spoke at a seminar titled "Sharing Development Rights: China's Practices in Poverty Reduction for Disabled Persons'' that was jointly hosted by the federation, the China International Communications Group and the Permanent Mission of China to the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).

He said that addressing poverty and ensuring the well-being of people with disabilities have been central to China's broader anti-poverty campaign and its ongoing efforts to consolidate related progress.

"By lifting 7.1 million rural residents with disabilities out of poverty, China has broken the long-standing link between disability and poverty," Cheng said.

"We have forged a path tailored to our national conditions that alleviates and prevents poverty caused by disability."

According to Cheng, promoting the inclusion of people living with disabilities has become a key component of China's national development strategy, as well as its pursuit of sustainable and inclusive growth.

"This approach aligns with the FAO's principle of 'leaving no one behind' and has strengthened global confidence in poverty reduction for rural people with disabilities, particularly in developing countries. It also offers valuable lessons from a Chinese perspective," Cheng added.

He said the federation was willing to enhance dialogue with the FAO and its member states to promote cooperation across various sectors.

Qu Dongyu, director-general of the FAO, said that the roughly 15 percent of the global population who live with some form of disability often face significant barriers to accessing resources, services and decent employment, especially in rural areas.

Qu added that China's practices and achievements in poverty reduction for people with disabilities has not only provided a useful reference for the FAO, other international agencies and developing countries, but also serves as a powerful confidence boost to global efforts in promoting inclusive development and poverty reduction for people with disabilities.