February 11, 2025, China International Development Cooperation Agency (CIDCA) launched the fifth and sixth issues of “Small and Beautiful Projects” and “Green Development Assistance” of its series publication named International Development Cooperation: China’s Practice. The East Asia Poverty Reduction Cooperation Pilot Project designed and co-managed by International Poverty Reduction Center in China (IPRCC) is included in “Small and Beautiful Projects” as demonstration project on comprehensive poverty reduction assistance.

The report highly recognizes the effectiveness of The East Asia Poverty Reduction Cooperation Pilot Project, noting that the implementation of the project has effectively reduced the prevalence of poverty in the project communities and provided a model for East Asian countries to address development bottlenecks and promote the poverty reduction process.

The East Asia Poverty Reduction Cooperation Pilot Project is a concrete move echoing the East Asia Poverty Reduction Cooperation Initiative put forward by Chinese national leader in 2014. It is also the first village-level China Aid project on poverty reduction. IPRCC led the feasibility studies in Laos, Cambodia and Myanmar in 2015 and provided guidance and coordination support as co-management organization during project implementation in six villages starting from 2017 until its completion and handover in 2020 and 2021.

The Project focuses on poverty reduction and rural development in developing countries. Drawing on China's policies and practical experience on “integrated village development” and “targeted poverty alleviation and poverty eradication”, and based on the community contexts and practical needs of the locals, the project designed a series of comprehensive poverty assistance measures including infrastructure construction, public facilities enhancement, livelihood improvement, and capacity building. The project has effectively improved the living environment of the project communities, empowered the local communities in pursuing self-development, and provided a model for the developing countries in Southeast Asia to promote the cause of poverty alleviation and rural development.