Graphics: China's Xizang Autonomous Region in numbers

All-round and historic progress has been made in the human rights cause in southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region, according to a white paper issued by China's State Council Information Office on Friday.

The Communist Party of China and the Chinese government have implemented effective measures to develop the economy, improve living standards and people's wellbeing, promote ethnic unity and progress, and protect the basic rights of all the people in the region, the white paper said.

Ethnic minority representation in Xizang's governance continues to grow. Of the 42,153 deputies to the people's congresses at four levels in the autonomous region, 89.2 percent are from the Tibetan or other ethnic minority groups.

Xizang's economy is on a steady rise. In 2024, its GDP reached 276.5 billion yuan (around $38 billion), growing by 6.3 percent year on year, while infrastructure and social development continues. The rights of people in Xizang to an adequate standard of living, education, work, health and social security are better guaranteed.

Rich in culture, the region boasts 2,760 representative intangible cultural heritage projects. It is also home to World Heritage sites such as the Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple and Norbulingka.

Nature thrives in Xizang, with 47 nature reserves covering over 412,200 square kilometers, protecting diverse ecosystems and wildlife. There are 246 wild animal species and 169 wild plant species under special state protection in the region.