东西部扶贫协作
东西部扶贫协作,即东部发达省市与西部贫困地区结对开展扶贫协作,是国家为实现共同富裕目标作出的一项制度性安排。自1996年开始,经过几次调整和变动,东西部扶贫协作已形成目前9省(市)、5个计划单列市和4个大城市对口帮扶西部10个省(区、市)的工作格局。东西部扶贫协作形式多样,形成了以政府援助、企业合作、社会帮扶、人才支持为主的基本工作框架。
实施东西部扶贫协作工作以来,东部发达省份与西部贫困地区在结对治理贫困的具体实践中不断探索扶贫方式与模式,具体有:基于企业合作层面的扶贫模式、创建高层沟通机制的扶贫模式、选择贫困重点的扶贫模式。
其一,基于企业合作层面的东西部扶贫协作模式。指通过推动东西部地区的企业合作,带动贫困地区企业的发展,增强贫困地区的市场活力,提高贫困地区劳动力素质,解决落后地区的贫困问题。比如,山东省的14个地级市结对帮扶重庆市的14个国家扶贫开发工作重点县,在企业合作的基础上,争取政府援助。同时,积极开展社会帮扶,推动社会力量参与扶贫。
其二,创建高层沟通机制的东西部扶贫协作模式。指东西部扶贫协作双方创建与坚持有效的沟通交流机制。比如,1996年至2019年,福建省与宁夏回族自治区每年召开一次联席会议,确保闽宁协作中的大方针和大方向,保证双方及时获取需要的信息,交流学习先进管理理念。双方通过加强省到各区县各层级的对接,提高了沟通的时效性。
其三,集中于重点贫困地区的东西部扶贫协作模式。指将贫困地区中贫困程度更深的地区作为扶贫重点的扶贫方式。比如,2010年,根据内蒙古自治区乌兰察布市、赤峰市两地经济社会发展滞后、贫困面大、贫困面深的实际情况,京蒙扶贫协作作出了调整:由原来帮扶8个盟市调整为重点帮扶乌兰察布市与赤峰市各8个旗(县、市)。
东西部扶贫协作有力推动了“西部大开发”战略的实施,为减贫事业作出了巨大贡献。在扶贫开发实践中,形成了一些成功的经验:一是建立扶贫协作双方的长期沟通与交流机制,这是双方开展扶贫工作的前提;二是重视企业合作,企业的发展能迅速而有效地激活贫困地区的市场活力,发展贫困地区经济;三是注重人才交流,人才是贫困地区可持续发展的保障。
East-West Cooperation in Poverty Alleviation
This refers to the practice of pairing the developed provinces and municipalities in the east with the impoverished regions in the west. It is a policy to reduce poverty and achieve common prosperity.
After several adjustments since 1996, nine provinces (municipalities), five cities that enjoy provincial-level status in the state economic plan, and four major cities in east China have been paired with 10 provinces, autonomous regions and municipality in west China. Cooperation in diverse forms has continued, and a working framework has been built with government backing, cooperation from enterprises, social assistance, and human resources support.
Under this framework the east and the west have explored effective ways of cooperation, creating three successful models:
(1) east-west cooperation between enterprises. This drives the growth of enterprises in poor areas, increases market vigor, and improves the ability of the local workforce to fight poverty in backward areas. For instance, 14 prefecture-level cities of Shandong Province in east China have partnered with 14 key poor counties of Chongqing Municipality in west China. In addition to cooperation between enterprises, these cities in Shandong also seek government assistance and invite public participation in the poverty alleviation initiative;
(2) a high-level communication mechanism for east-west cooperation. For instance, since 1996 Fujian Province in southeast China and Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region in northwest China have held annual joint meetings to discuss the focus and principles for bilateral cooperation, and exchange information and management expertise. This interaction enhances timely communication; and
(3) east-west cooperation focusing on key areas of extreme poverty. For instance, in 2010, Beijing adjusted its assistance to Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, from previously assisting eight of the latter’s leagues and cities to assisting eight banners (counties and cities) in each of the Ulanqab League and Chifeng City, as these two places suffer extensive and serious poverty and an underdeveloped economy.
East-west cooperation has substantially promoted China’s large-scale development of the western region, and greatly contributed to poverty reduction there. Successful experiments include:
(1) Long-term mechanisms that facilitate communication and exchanges between east and west partners;
(2) Enterprises are swift and effective in cooperation to stimulate market vigor in poor areas and develop the local economy; and
(3) Exchanges of human resources support the sustainable development of poor areas.
