President Xi Jinping delivers an important speech at a symposium on securing a decisive victory in poverty alleviation in Beijing, capital of China, March 6, 2020. (Xinhua/Ju Peng)

President Xi Jinping on Friday stressed overcoming the impact of the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) to clinch a complete victory in the fight against poverty.

Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, made the remarks at a symposium on securing a decisive victory in poverty alleviation.

Aerial photo taken on Feb. 28, 2020 shows a view of Huamao Village of Fengxiang Township in Zunyi City, southwest China's Guizhou Province. (Xinhua/Tao Liang)

The following are highlights of what President Xi stresses at the meeting:

-- Lifting all rural residents living below the current poverty line out of poverty by 2020 is a solemn promise made by the CPC Central Committee, and it must be fulfilled on time;

-- Poverty alleviation is a tough battle that greater importance must be attached to in the final push;

-- Party committees and governments at all levels should advance the fight against poverty in greater determination and intensity, overcome the impact of the COVID-19 to clinch a complete victory in eradicating poverty and accomplish the great cause that is of tremendous importance both for the Chinese nation and humanity.

-- This symposium, the largest of its kind since the 18th CPC National Congress, is held to mobilize all resources to win the battle against poverty, and ensure that the target of eradicating poverty is met as planned so as to build a moderately prosperous society in all respects.

Yang Mei (L) and other villagers pick tea at a tea garden at Mazhai Village of Longquan Town in Danzhai County of Qiandongnan Miao and Dong Autonomous Prefecture, southwest China's Guizhou Province, March 17, 2019. (Photo by Yang Wukui/Xinhua)

China's poverty alleviation tasks are near completion. Here are some facts:

-- The number of impoverished people fell to 5.51 million at the end of 2019 from nearly 100 million at the end of 2012;

-- The poverty headcount ratio dropped to 0.6 percent from 10.2 percent during the period, with regional overall poverty being basically eradicated.

-- Upon completion of the poverty eradication task this year, China will achieve the goals set in the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development 10 years ahead of schedule;

-- China's farewall to absolute poverty is of great significance to both China and the world, as no country in the world has ever lifted so many people out of poverty in such a short period of time;

-- The unprecedented achievements in poverty alleviation demonstrate the political advantages of the CPC leadership and the socialist system.

Farmers work in the field in Xigang Village of Shibu County in Nanchang City, east China's Jiangxi Province, March 5, 2020. At Xigang Village of Shibu County, a provincial-level impoverished village, farmers are busy harvesting asparagus at the poverty alleviation asparagus planting base as people returned to work at the bases in Xinjian District of Nanchang City. (Xinhua/Peng Zhaozhi)