A total of 13,529 people in 8,073 households in Haimen district, Nantong were registered as being impoverished during the 13th Five-year Plan period (2016-20), all of which are now living above the poverty line, local media reported.

"Thanks to the photovoltaic power generation project introduced by the government, I not only don't need to pay electricity bills, but I make money by selling the power," said Le Shengjia, who earned 150 yuan ($21.74) from the local power company in August.

Raising goats and photovoltaic power generation have helped increase the per capita income of Le's family from less than 7,000 yuan in 2019 to 20,000 yuan in 2020.

Haimen has spent more money on poverty alleviation than any other district or county in Nantong. 

In the first half of this year, the district invested 3.45 million yuan to build new cooperative farms, introduce leading agricultural companies, and develop other industrial projects to help increase the incomes of local residents.

In addition, the local government has offered free medical and accident insurance to impoverished families since 2018.

Local farmer Zhao Mingxing racked up 35,277.13-yuan-worth of medical treatment bills, 33,417.97 yuan of which was covered by various insurance programs offered by the government. 

According to the district's poverty alleviation office, a special channel has also been set up for poor people at local hospitals, allowing them to pay after treatment.