China issues 'Governance of Xizang in the New Era' white paper

China's State Council Information Office released a white paper on the policies of the Communist Party of China (CPC) for governing the Xizang Autonomous Region in the new era.

Titled "CPC Policies on the Governance of Xizang in the New Era: Approach and Achievements," the white paper emphasizes the CPC's guidelines, showcasing comprehensive progress and historic success in various undertakings in the region.

Since the 18th CPC National Congress in 2012, Xizang has experienced unprecedented development and significant change, bringing more tangible benefits to the people, the white paper stated.

Xizang's gross domestic product reached 213.26 billion yuan (about $29.3 billion) in 2022, representing an average annual growth rate of 8.6 percent since 2012. The region's railway network almost doubled during this period, and the 5G network has covered all counties and main townships there. The region eradicated absolute poverty, and the average life expectancy of local people increased to 72.19 years by 2021.

"Together with the rest of the country, people in Xizang have witnessed the tremendous transformation of the Chinese nation from standing up and becoming prosperous to growing in strength, and are now embarking on a new journey of building a modern socialist country in all respects," the document said.

The seventh National Meeting on Xizang in 2020 outlined the CPC guidelines for governing Xizang in the new era. These guidelines, grounded in the practice of socialism with Chinese characteristics and the actual situation of Xizang, demonstrate a keen understanding of work related to the region.

The white paper hailed the guidelines as the encapsulation of "the CPC's past success in stabilizing Xizang and its plans for future development," providing answers to a series of questions on the region's future direction and strategy to be followed in all undertakings related to the region.

In addition to a foreword and a conclusion, the white paper consisted of six sections: "Full Implementation of the New Development Philosophy," "Notable Achievements in Cultural and Ethical Development," "Solid Progress in Ethnic and Religious Undertakings," "Sustained and Stable Social Development," "Stronger Eco-environmental Security Barrier," and "Strengthening Democracy and the Rule of Law."

Eradication of absolute poverty

By the end of 2019, through the basic strategy of targeted poverty alleviation, the autonomous region had lifted 628,000 registered poor residents and 74 counties out of poverty, marking a victory against extreme poverty that had plagued Xizang for thousands of years, as per the white paper.

The per-capita income of those lifted out of poverty in Xizang reached 13,800 yuan (about $1,922) in 2022, growing faster than the region's per-capita disposal income of rural residents, as stated in the white paper.

Those lifted out of poverty in Xizang have reliable access to food, clothing, housing, education, and medical care, alongside more harmonious living and working conditions, convenient infrastructure and basic public services, and a proper social security system, according to the white paper.

The per-capita disposable income of the region's urban and rural residents as a whole rose to 26,675 yuan (about $3,715) in 2022 from 8,568 yuan in 2012, representing the country's highest growth rate for eight consecutive years since 2015, according to the white paper.

The income ratio between urban and rural residents dropped from 3.22 in 2012 to 2.67 in 2022, narrowing the income gap,  as stated in the white paper.

On ethnic and religious undertakings

Fresh progress has been made in strengthening the political development in Xizang, ensuring the rights of all people of all ethnic groups to be masters of the region and the country, as stated in the white paper.

A total of 89.2 percent of the 42,153 deputies to people's congresses at four levels in the region are from Tibetan or other ethnic minorities, as indicated in the white paper.

The offices of the chairperson or vice chairpersons of the Standing Committee of the People's Congress of Xizang Autonomous Region are occupied by Tibetans, as is the office of the governor of Xizang.

The Xizang Autonomous Region conducts Tibetan Buddhist activities in an orderly manner, and law-based management of religious affairs has made steady progress, as stated in the white paper.

Fully implementing the Party's basic policy on religious affairs, Xizang has guided Tibetan Buddhism to adapt to socialist society and has expedited improvements in the institutions and standards for managing religious affairs in accordance with the law, according to the white paper.

Building a beautiful Xizang

In its efforts to become a national or even an international model in advancing eco-civilization, Xizang continues to prioritize eco-environmental conservation, follows a holistic approach to coordinating conservation and development, and pursues green and sustainable development, said the white paper.

Protecting the natural environment in Xizang will benefit the country and the people for thousands of years to come, it said.

The region will continue to deliver eco-environmental dividends while building a beautiful Xizang, according to the white paper.

An eco-environmental conservation and compensation mechanism has been put in place in the region that covers forest, wetland, grassland, and water ecosystems, said the white paper.

Xizang boasts 47 nature reserves of different types at all levels, which cover a total area of 412,200 square kilometers, according to the white paper.

According to the second national survey on terrestrial animals and plants in China, the number of Tibetan antelopes increased from over 70,000 in the 1990s to over 300,000, according to the white paper.

(With input from Xinhua)