China's vow to end extreme poverty in 2020 involves stunning numbers: billions of $ spent, millions moved from rural homes. But don't miss what it really is: a political campaign to integrate the poor into the natl economy, & train them to thank the Party. https://www.economist.com/china/2020/09/19/chinas-anti-poverty-drive-is-not-disinterested-charity

I spent most of last week on an official tour of poverty alleviation work in a mountainous region of Sichuan. Hard to convey the sheer intensity of the propaganda. Every home visited in every village has a poster of Xi Jinping.

This poster reads: “Grateful to the Party, Listening to the Party, Follow the Party”

This display, in a newly-built housing estate for 6,600 relocated villagers known as “Gratitude Community”, reads: “Move into a new home, move towards moderate prosperity, listen to the Party, Follow the Party”

This poster is on the walls of new apartments in Gratitude Community. It has spots for photos of the residents’ old home and new home. Slogans include: “Relocation warms our hearts and we are forever grateful to the Party” and “Welcome a new life with a smiling face”

This poster in a Tibetan minority village reads: “If you have water to drink, don’t forget the person who dug the well. If you’re happy, don’t forget the Communist Party”