The Chinese government has established the goal that all poverty counties shall exit by 2020. In this report，the background and process of the establishment and adjustments of poverty counties are reviewed，the policy evolution for poverty counties is summarized，and the development of so-called key-supported poverty counties is evaluated. Based on discussion on the exiting criteria for poverty counties，the situation and strategy for poverty counties to exit are assessed. It is suggested that those seriously poverty-stricken counties are not required to exit by the deadline. Post-exiting incentive mechanisms and transformation of poverty reduction policies after exiting of poverty counties are also discussed.