KUALA LUMPUR, May 10 (Xinhua) -- The careful long-term planning and implementation of China's poverty alleviation efforts have left a strong impression on a delegation from the northern Borneo state of Sabah, who witnessed first-hand the effectiveness of the approach in a Chinese village.
The combination of practical solutions and a balanced level of official encouragement of support, exemplified by Shicha Village, on the outskirts of Haikou in Hainan Province, was particularly impressive for delegation member Jurin Gunsalam, who told Xinhua that what stood out was how the community combined agriculture and tourism in a very practical, down-to-earth way.
"What stood out was how poverty alleviation and rural development are treated as a long-term national responsibility, not just a short-term project. At the village level, there was a clear sense of direction. Development was not happening randomly; each village seemed to understand its role within a wider regional plan, and that clarity was very evident on the ground," said Jurin, who is a local community leader in Kota Marudu, Sabah.
"One place that impressed me was Shicha Village... Farming remains the foundation, but tourism adds value to what the villagers are already doing, helping to directly increase rural income. Tourism there is small-scale and well-controlled. There are no large resorts or big outside corporations dominating the village, which helps keep environmental pressure low while still providing steady income for residents," he added.
Jurin said the approach allowed the local residents to maintain a calm and familiar rural lifestyle without having to contend with intrusive industrialization, something which he felt could be an approach in developing rural communities in Sabah, which may be resistant to other forms of poverty alleviation.
He especially noticed the Chinese approach of national direction but local flexibility, something that will resonate in the countries of the Global South, including Malaysia, noting that poverty alleviation works best when it is based on real data and adapted to local conditions.
"Many aspects of China's experience can be adapted to Sabah, especially in places like Kota Marudu (in Kudat district). The area has very strong potential in agriculture, agro-processing and tourism, but the challenge is that development needs to be more structured and better supported. One of the most pressing issues is infrastructure, particularly road access in rural areas," he said.
"China's experience also shows us that rural development should not stop at production alone. Farmers need support in processing, branding and marketing their products so they can earn better and more stable incomes. The same goes for tourism. With proper training, better infrastructure and digital promotion, local communities can manage tourism activities themselves and benefit directly from them," he added.
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