In 2013, President Xi Jinping proposed the idea of a targeted poverty alleviation plan for the first time during an inspection tour of Shibadong village in Hunan province.

Under the targeted relief campaign, officials are forbidden from merely handing out relief funds without finding ways of attaining sustainable incomes.

"Poverty alleviation plans should be made based on real situations," Xi said. "It should be targeted at specific groups in specific situations and should avoid using loud slogans."

Since the CPC's 18th National Congress, he has visited more than 20 impoverished villages, chaired meetings on poverty reduction, and written letters to primary level officials and residents to encourage them on poverty relief work.