補短板

習近平指出，中國經濟社會發展的主要矛盾在新時代發生了變化，需要新的發展方略。當前中國經濟社會發展的戰略目標是全面建成小康社會，戰略重點在于補齊短板，扶貧工作則是其中最薄弱的領域。

“補短板”思維是理解習近平扶貧工作思維方法的一個關鍵。早在2004年時，時任浙江省委書記的習近平就在省域層面提出“補短板”的思維方法：“全面建成小康社會，強調的不僅是‘小康’，而且更重要也更難做到的是‘全面’。‘小康’講的是發展水平，‘全面’講的是發展的平衡性、協調性、可持續性。”

“補短板”的發展戰略是對馬克思主義基本立場的堅守，同樣也是對中國特色社會主義的創新和發展。習近平指出，“小康不小康，關鍵看老鄉”，“在發展中補齊民生短板、促進社會公平正義”，體現了他對于什么是發展，什么是小康社會的深刻思考。

Improving Areas of Weakness

As the principal issues influencing China's economic and social development have changed in the new era, Xi Jinping points out that the country needs a new strategy for development. To fulfill the strategic goal of building a moderately prosperous society in all respects, the strategic focus should be on improving areas of weakness, of which poverty alleviation is the weakest link.

Xi made a similar proposal for Zhejiang Province in 2004 when he was secretary of its provincial CPC committee. To build a moderately prosperous society in all respects, the focus should be equally on "a moderately prosperous society" and "in all respects" - the latter being more important and more difficult to achieve. "A moderately prosperous society" represents a certain level of development, while "in all respects" extends that level of development to one that is balanced, coordinated and sustainable.

The idea of improving areas of weakness reflects a Marxist stance and contribution to the theory of socialism with Chinese characteristics. Xi Jinping's vision on development and moderate prosperity is like this: Whether China has achieved prosperity will be judged by the conditions of the rural areas, and China will improve the weak links related to people's wellbeing and enhance social fairness and justice through development.