There is another facet about the poverty reduction record of the 1990s – it was partially a result of statistical manipulations. In 1998, 1999, and again in 2002, the Chinese authorities lowered the official poverty line, making it easier for a statistical reduction of poverty. In 1997, the rural poverty line was drawn at 640 yuan per person; by 2002, it was 627 yuan per person (NBS 2007b).
