From a condition of universal poverty in China in 1949, China has progressed to a point where the government estimates that there are now between 90 and 100 million people that can be described as living in poverty.
This tragic story illustrates that although China is now entering the stage where it can be described as 'mid-range' in prosperity, there is still a way to go. Poverty, of course, still exists in most countries in the world. Will poverty ever be totally eliminated? Jesus, apparently, thought not, as he (supposedly) said, claiming some priority over the poor:
"You will always have the poor among you, and you can help them whenever you want to. But you will not always have me.." (Mark 14:7 NLT)
This case is also complicated by what seems to be some differences between the tragic Yang family and other residents in the village.
The three generations of the Yang family lived in this home in Agu village, Kangle county in Gansu province in China's west.
A bedroom in their home. The bed structure seems to be a kang, which are constructed from bricks. Mattresses are rolled out on top and in winter a fire can be set in the space under the top, providing warmth to both the bed and the room.
Yang Gailan - at the centre of the tragedy
More details can be found in the linked Peoples Daily web-site: