Two women collect flowers in a greenhouse at a horticultural base in Daning county. [Photo by Li Zhaomin for China Daily]

Charity mall

In Huayuan community in Jiexiu city, officials held a meeting on Dec 24 at a charity items distribution center－which is called by locals as a "charity mall"－to spread the spirit of the plenary session to residents.

Duan Jianwei, Party secretary of the community, told the audience:"China has made remarkable achievements in its battle against poverty over the past five years, lifting 55.75 million rural residents out of poverty."

He said the city of Jiexiu, as well as the rest of the country, has made great achievements in poverty reduction.

He explained the achievements were a result of the guidance of the central authorities and the innovative efforts by the local governments as well.

The charity mall, which collects daily necessities from local donators and distributes them to registered impoverished families, is one such effort.

According to Duan, there are 55 households registered as impoverished in Huayuan community.

"We have implemented multiple measures to help them escape poverty. In addition to the government that offers them an allowance to ensure their basic needs in livelihood, local businesses and residents have given them a helping hand.

"Local enterprises have created jobs for the purpose of poverty alleviation and residents have donated money and daily necessities," Duan said.

The official said the charity mall was founded in August 2019 at the suggestion of local residents.

He added that community officials have established a management system to ensure the effective and transparent operation of the charity mall.

"We have put a billboard on the wall, with a full list of items in the mall," Duan said. "The needy residents can tick the items that they want the most."

Operators of the mall will calculate the ticks regularly and arrange donations according to residents' requirements, the official explained.

"As the communique of the Fifth Plenary Session says, China will improve the quality of people's lives and promote social advancement," Duan said. "We will make further efforts to help to improve people's livelihoods and ensure the success of poverty alleviation."