Number living in poverty cut by 85% in 6 years, official says

By the end of this year, the number of Chinese grappling with extreme poverty will total about 15 million - a dramatic 85 percent drop from nearly 100 million just six years ago, the country's anti-poverty chief said on Thursday.

Liu Yongfu, director of the State Council Leading Group Office of Poverty Alleviation and Development, said that extreme poverty will be eliminated nationwide by the end of 2020.

The poverty reduction achievement has coincided with China's rapid economic growth, he said.