Supporting China’s Efforts in Eliminating Global Poverty

As part of Peking University HSBC Business School – UK Campus’ (PHBS-UK) global outreach and efforts in supporting the elimination of global poverty, PHBS-UK purchased a batch of organic rice produced in Ganzhou, Jiangxi province in Western China. Jiangxi province in China has a GDP per capita of 65,560 yuan[1] which is below China’s national average of 80,976 yuan[2] which translates to the people of Jiangxi having a disposable income of about just £21 per day. Thus by purchasing products produced in poorer regions in the world is one of the first steps in helping the poor farmers in poverty stricken areas. With our purchase of Ziyang Selenium-enriched Organic Rice from a local company in Ganzhou in Jiangxi province, it is one of the small steps in which PHBS-UK supports local entrepreneurship in poverty stricken areas in bid to help boost the economy of poor areas like Ganzhou, promote entrepreneurship and support local farmers.

The Ziyang Selenium-enriched Organic Rice is produced in Ziyang, which is located in Shangyou County, Ganzhou City, Jiangxi province in China. Ziyang, also known as the “Town of Rice and Oil” is situated in a mountainous region that enjoys pristine air quality, abundant sunshine, and plentiful rainfall. The water that flows down the Yunfeng Mountain that irrigate the rice fields is rich in the mineral – Selenium. Selenium is an antioxidant and “is an essential component of various enzymes and proteins, called selenoproteins, that help to make DNA and protect against cell damage and infections; these proteins are also involved in reproduction and the metabolism of thyroid hormones.[3]” Together with the large temperature variances in the mountainous region of Ziyang coupled with natural mountain water that is free from heavy metals and pollutants, the rice that is produced in the region is plump, fragrant, and mineral-enriched.

The rice is cultivated and produced by the local farmers – the Hakka people – who have a long tradition of rice cultivation. The Hakka people are also well-known to be be strong in character and willing to take risks and endeavour to survive and overcome the various obstacles in their path. This will to survive and break past life’s challenges is incredibly commendable and one that we need to emulate. Hence the reason in which PHBS-UK has chosen to support this valuable cause. The rice purchased by PHBS-UK was cooked and offered as a lunch option during our recent 2^nd Hongmen Dialogue on 28 January 2023.

PHBS-UK endeavours to support all global poverty alleviation initiatives and hopes that our continued support of underprivileged areas in the world would help make the world a better place for everyone.

[1] https://www.statista.com/statistics/1093666/china-per-capita-gross-domestic-product-gdp-by-province/

[2] https://www.statista.com/statistics/1093666/china-per-capita-gross-domestic-product-gdp-by-province/

[3] https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/selenium/#:~:text=Selenium%20is%20an%20essential%20component,the%20metabolism%20of%20thyroid%20hormones.