President Xi Jinping marked a historic milestone during his visit to the Xizang Autonomous Region, joining 20,000 residents and officials at a grand celebration commemorating 60 years of regional autonomy. The event in Lhasa on August 21 showcased vibrant cultural performances and highlighted the region's socioeconomic progress under China's ethnic unity policies.
Local representatives from Tibetan, Han, and other ethnic groups participated in traditional dances and music, symbolizing what state media described as 'shared prosperity through cultural diversity.' Xi emphasized the importance of maintaining stability and sustainable development in the Himalayan region during his address, noting Xizang's 8.5% GDP growth rate over the past five years.
Analysts observe the anniversary comes amid increased infrastructure investment in Xizang, including recent upgrades to the Lhasa-Nyingchi railway and expansion of renewable energy projects. The region has seen tourism triple since 2020, with new visa-free transit policies attracting international visitors.
While international attention often focuses on Xizang's strategic position bordering South Asia, the anniversary celebrations highlighted local achievements in poverty alleviation and education access. Official data shows 98% of school-age children now enrolled in compulsory education programs across the autonomous region.
