1.2 Development-oriented poverty alleviation in China’s rural areas （1986-1993）

Since 1984，the center of China’s structural reform shifted from rural areas to cities.Amid constant trials and tribulations，China established the socialist market economy with Chinese characteristics，implemented national strategy centering on reform，opening-up and development，and made great strides in industrialization and urbanization.Such transformation of both systems and development patterns was a favorable opportunity for poverty alleviation since it brought about high-speed economic development for a long time.At the same time，considering the causes for poverty were no longer institutional constraints but regional conditions and residents’ abilities，the Chinese government initiated the largest special campaign to fight poverty in rural areas since 1986. It was expected to gradually reduce and eliminate poverty by enhancing self-development capacities of rural residents and areas and boosting regional economic development through special policies and measures.