BEIJING — China's State Council Information Office unveiled a comprehensive white paper on Thursday highlighting the "historic achievements" in human rights development in Xizang (Tibet) since 2012 during a high-profile press conference. The document outlines progress across economic growth, cultural preservation, and poverty alleviation.
The white paper emphasizes a 9.5% average annual GDP growth rate in Xizang from 2013 to 2022, accompanied by the relocation of 269,000 residents from harsh environments to modern settlements. Officials noted the region now hosts over 1,700 religious sites and sustains literacy rates surpassing 99%, attributing these gains to "institutional advantages under socialism with Chinese characteristics."
"Xizang's transformation reflects our commitment to people-centered development," stated Guo Weimin, deputy head of the National Ethnic Affairs Commission's research office. The report also cites strengthened legal protections for minority languages and international cultural exchanges involving 1,400 overseas visitors since 2018.
Analysts suggest the publication aims to showcase regional stability to global investors as China enhances connectivity through its Belt and Road Initiative. The paper avoids direct references to Western human rights criticisms, instead highlighting World Bank recognition for lifting 800,000 residents out of extreme poverty.
