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The Pursuit of Inclusive Development in China:
From Developmental to Rights-Based Social Protection |
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Li Xiaoyun and Dan Banik |
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The Chinese Government has prioritized public policies aimed at promoting inclusive development,
social equality and a ‘harmonious society’ while maintaining high rates of economic
growth. Such policies are, however, facing growing challenges with rising income inequality and
new forms of ‘transitional poverty’ resulting from recent economic and social transformations
taking place within the country. China’s strategies of promoting growth and poverty reduction
are further complicated by environmental concerns, rising urban-rural disparities, changing
demographic dynamics and new patterns of labour migration within the country. The key question
addressed in this article is: How will the dual existence of extreme poverty in rural areas
and transitional poverty in an urban–rural interface shape China’s welfare strategy in the near
future, as the country pursues a strategy of inclusive development? The article begins with a
brief examination of China’s achievements and challenges in relation to poverty and inequality
reduction. Thereafter, the impacts of some of the most important social protection programmes
currently being implemented in the rural areas of the country are critically examined before
specifi cally highlighting the problems faced by migrant workers, the so-called ‘left-behind’
population, and landless farmers. |
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