Introduction

Abstract

multidimensional a low overlap and show intertemporal synchronisation over time. This paper concludes that a suitable multidimensional poverty identification frame-work should be developed in post-2020 poverty alleviation, and new development strategies should be formulated with a more pronounced focus on the poverty of special groups such as poor children and the elderly. The third paper, ‘ Multidimensional poverty and types of impoverished counties in Gansu province of China ’ , is co-authored by Zhang, Weinan Gu, and Jianpeng Zhang. By measuring the multidimensional poverty indices of 75 poverty-stricken counties in Gansu province, this paper identifies the specific factors leading to poverty and different types of impoverished counties, and puts forward policy recommendations for poverty alleviation. The results from this paper show that more than half of the poverty-stricken counties in Gansu province have a degree of multidimensional poverty that is below the median poverty level. This paper also finds that the main factors contributing to poverty in the impoverished counties in Gansu province are the lack of education, the shortage of land and water resources, inadequate medical and health services, and under-employment. The degree of each indicator that contributes to poverty shows spatial vari-ation as well. The results indicate that, to shore up the weak links in the local economic and social development, the different types of poverty-stricken counties should take more precisely targeted measures to reduce poverty. Obviously, these three papers are closely related to China ’ s poverty reduction theories practices the 40-plus years. They not only help us understand the characteris-tics and evolution of China ’ s poverty reduction in the past, but also indicate the need to shift the focus of poverty reduction policies in the future, which is essential to prevent the poor from slipping back to poverty and further lift them to the middle income group in the process of achieving common prosperity in China.