From giant dams to sprawling railways, Beijing has pledged to step up investments along the so-called roof of the world, led by state-owned enterprises, as China marks the 60th anniversary of the Tibet autonomous region’s establishment.
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The State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission (Sasac), China’s top state asset regulator, is calling for more targeted measures to boost industries, with more capital flowing into grass-roots projects and a greater promotion of cultural and tourism sectors to benefit local communities, according to a statement released on Tuesday.
“[We will] step up infrastructure investment and construction in Tibet, and advance major projects, including the Yarlung Tsangpo hydropower plant and the Sichuan-Tibet Railway, as well as continuously expand the investment and business footprint in the region,” the commission said.
The pledge came after President Xi Jinping emphasised that Tibet should develop competitive plateau industries based on local conditions, during his visit to Lhasa last week to celebrate the anniversary.
Xi Jinping attends Tibet anniversary events
Xi Jinping attends Tibet anniversary events
Located on China’s southwestern frontier and bordering four Asian countries, Tibet has distinct advantages in agriculture, animal husbandry and clean energy.
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Wang Jiang, deputy dean of the Institute of China’s Borderland Studies at Zhejiang Normal University, said transport and environmental conditions remain barriers to developing the high-altitude region, despite substantial infrastructure advances having already been made there.