TERRITORIAL DEVELOPMENT POLICY IN THE PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF CHINA AND ITS ROLE IN POVERTY REDUCTION
Annotatsiya
This study examines the role of territorial development policy in poverty reduction in the People’s Republic of China (PRC) within the broader framework of sustainable development and regional governance. The research examines the evolution of China’s territorial policies from the post-1978 reform period to the contemporary model, with an emphasis on ecological sustainability, regional balance, and targeted poverty alleviation. Using a qualitative research methodology that involves a comparative and analytical review of academic literature, government policy documents, and international development reports, the study assesses the economic, environmental, and social aspects of territorial governance. The findings demonstrate that large-scale infrastructure investment, regional development strategies, ecological restoration programs, and targeted poverty alleviation initiatives significantly contributed to reducing regional disparities and improving living standards in underdeveloped areas. Special attention is given to the Western Development Strategy, Poverty Alleviation Relocation programs, and rural revitalization initiatives, which collectively strengthened regional integration and enhanced access to public services. The study further reveals that the integration of environmental governance into territorial planning transformed China’s development approach from growth-oriented modernization toward sustainability-focused governance. At the same time, the research identifies ongoing challenges related to relative poverty, demographic transformation, environmental pressures, and unequal regional development. The article concludes that China’s experience illustrates the importance of integrated territorial planning, institutional coordination, and sustainability-oriented governance in achieving long-term poverty reduction and regional development objectives. The findings also provide broader theoretical insights into the relationship between territorial governance, ecological sustainability, and socio-economic transformation in developing countries.