Yes. If you have never experienced extreme poverty, you won't understand the necessity of the lengths taken or appreciate the blood, sweat and tears that your ancestors and fellow countrymen have shed to escape from it. You won't have deep sympathy for the lower class and those still doing hard labor.
I come from a white collar background and have achieved a small understanding of what real poverty is like only after years of social, medical and rescue work in places like Oakland, Albuquerque, Flint, Detroit. I think China should encourage educators and youth to experience real poverty (ex. aid missions to poorer parts of the mainland or friendly countries). Xi's sending of party members to the countryside should just be the first step of a national initiative.
If you console an addict that has been taking opiates for so long he needs his arm and jaw amputated– hold a dead baby that is stillborn and disfigured because of poisoned water– see someone get shot and pass away right in front of you because of gang violence– then you'll learn many new things about the human condition. You will never escape from that vision of despair and suffering in your lifetime.
Our future generations should never forget the struggles that have brought them where they are now, and how easy it would be for our people to return to that state.
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