Xizang makes great progress in ensuring people's right to beautiful environment: official

China's Xizang Autonomous Region has fully and effectively protected people's rights to a beautiful ecological environment, an official said on Friday.

Gama Cedain, chairman of the people's government of Xizang Autonomous Region in southwest China, made the remarks at a press conference in Lhasa, capital city of Xizang, on the release of a white paper on the progress of human rights in the region, issued by the State Council Information Office (SCIO).

The white paper was released to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the founding of the Xizang Autonomous Region, as well as the 66th anniversary of the liberation of millions of serfs, which fell on Friday.

Xizang prioritizes eco-environmental conservation and green development, and strives to continuously improve eco-environmental governance and protect biodiversity on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. Xizang has become one of the regions with the healthiest eco-environment in the world, where the protection of the people's environmental rights has been steadily upgraded, according to the white paper.

"First, the air in Xizang is now fresher. We have made progress in keeping Xizang's skies clear. Since 2016, the number of days with excellent or good air quality in Xizang has reached over 99 percent. Main towns and cities in the region generally have excellent or good air quality, while the air quality in the Mount Qomolangma area continues remains excellent or good, reaching the Grade-I standards," Gama Cedain said.

"Second, the glaciers are more solid than ever as we strive to keep Xizang's glaciers glittering. Xizang Autonomous Region promulgated the Regulations of the Xizang Autonomous Region for Glacier Protection, providing institutional guarantee for glacier protection, ensuring ecological security, promoting economic sustainable development and achieving the harmonious coexistence between humanity and nature. At the same time, Xizang has carried out coordinated protection of glaciers and their surrounding ecosystem, establishing a holistic framework for ecological conservation on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau," he continued.

"Third, the water is clearer, and Xizang has become more inviting because of its lucid waters. Beautiful lakes and rivers are the unique scenery of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. Fourthly, Xizang is more habitable now, as we have made the region pleasant to live in. All the seven prefecture-level cities are now recognized as national eco-civilization demonstration zones, becoming the only provincial-level region to meet the national standards in this regard," he said.

In March 2022, according to white paper, the first phase of the project to manage the river ecosystem in the downtown area of Lhasa was completed with an investment of 943 million yuan (about 129.94 million U.S. dollars), and the second phase is in progress with an investment of 2.4 billion yuan (about 330 million U.S. dollars). This project has upgraded the living environment of the city by connecting river systems, redirecting wastewater, and improving the landscape.

"Green development is the underlying feature of high-quality development, and new quality productive forces are inherently green productive forces. Xizang has transformed its lush mountains and lucid waters and ice and snow into invaluable assets, which have benefited the people here," said the chairman.

Xizang makes great progress in ensuring people's right to beautiful environment: official

An inheritor of the age-old Tibetan Thangka art form has introduced Chinese painting and sketching techniques to the Thangka classroom as he looks to inspire the next generation, believing that innovation is the best way to carry forward tradition.

Konchoge, a seasoned artist based in southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region, has adopted the novel approach to add a distinctive flair to his art. His works are striking in that they integrate traditional Chinese painting techniques which reinvigorate the thousand-year-old practice of Thangka.

The subject matter portrayed in Thangka paintings is diverse, ranging from recreations of Princess Wencheng's epic journey to the Xizang region during the Tang Dynasty (618-907) period, to more complex depictions such as Tibetan medical illustrations.

Konchoge explained how embracing sketching techniques helps add another dimension to the historical Thangka practice.

"When we depict animals or figures, the Thangka tradition doesn't have the method of sketching found in traditional Chinese painting. We've embraced this technique, allowing these animals and figures to spring to life, so to speak," he said.

Recognized for his artistic talent, Konchoge was once funded by the state to further his studies at the Academy of Arts and Design at the prestigious Tsinghua University in Beijing, where he honed his skills.

Meanwhile, with the government providing annual funding to support the inheritance of intangible cultural heritage, enrollment at the Xizang Academy of Thangka has been freely offered to the public since its founding in 2012, helping to preserve the tradition among a new generation of artists.

"No payment is required; moreover, we provide lunch consisting of three dishes and one soup, accompanied by butter tea and sweet tea," said Konchoge, who now works at the academy.

By integrating techniques from other traditional Chinese arts into his own, Konchoge is achieving a unique cultural fusion. Now, thanks to state support, the Xizang Academy of Thangka is introducing the glories of an enduring and evolving craft to the whole world.

"Preserving the ancient techniques is our mission; innovation is the best way to carry forward the tradition," Konchoge said.

Konchoge's story was featured in a new episode of the documentary "Yes, it's Xizang!" -- which was released by the China Global Television Network (CGTN) on Thursday.

Inheritor of Tibetan Thangka inheritor embraces innovation to carry forward age-old tradition