The latest statistics show that Zhejiang, an eastern coastal province of China, has achieved a remarkable milestone in poverty alleviation. All residents of Zhejiang now have an annual income above the provincial poverty line of 4,600 yuan ($708.44 USD), making it the first province in the country to achieve its poverty reduction target.

As a comparatively rich province, Zhejiang has faced its share of development imbalance. Compared to the rest of the province, the southwest part is relatively poor.

Keenly aware of the importance of infrastructure in poverty reduction, Zhejiang’s provincial government invested about 100 billion yuan ($15.4 billion) each year for over ten years in roads, internet and other facilities.

Meanwhile, the province also pursued mutually beneficial commercial development by taking advantage of the capital, technology and talents in its coastal areas, coupled with the resources, labor and biology of the southwest region.

Besides financial aid, the government also made sure that every household below the poverty line was properly documented and attended to by a designated official. A mechanism was also put into place to regularly report progress to the public.

Lishui, a city in the southwest area of Zhejiang, is one of the beneficiaries of these anti-poverty measures. The increase of farmers' net per capita income has ranked number one in the province for four consecutive years.

The current poverty line of China is 2,300 yuan ($355) per year.