According to one source, around 400 million people in China live in poverty [1].
If anything, their policies over the last 40 years were effective at raising many people out of destitute poverty. That said, there's enough people doing well enough that competition for the worst jobs is decreasing, forcing wages higher.
Coupled with China's disregard for basic IP rights, environmental regulations, worker protections, and other rights we in the West fought for over the last century and beyond, it's no wonder people are jumping out while they can.
If anything, their policies over the last 40 years were effective at raising many people out of destitute poverty. That said, there's enough people doing well enough that competition for the worst jobs is decreasing, forcing wages higher.
Coupled with China's disregard for basic IP rights, environmental regulations, worker protections, and other rights we in the West fought for over the last century and beyond, it's no wonder people are jumping out while they can.
Sources: [1] https://projectpartner.org/poverty/china-poverty-statistics-...