Abstract: Severe poverty still exists in the western rural regions though the strategy of western development has been implemented for ten years,which directly affects economic development and social stability in these regions.A case study in Guizhou Province shows that unfavorable natural condition,lack of rural human resources,and inadequate supply of rural public goods are the main factors to lead to poverty.Based on this,countermeasures are put forward to increase investment in rural human resources,strengthen infrastructural facilities and perfect the supply mechanism of rural public goods.

Key words: western regions, rural poverty, Guizhou Province