This year marks the 60th founding anniversary of southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region. Over the past 60 years, Xizang has witnessed transformative changes under the leadership of the Communist Party of China (CPC).
Through continuing development and improved livelihood, people in Xizang are now advancing on a path to prosperity.
Transportation in the region demonstrates the significantly improved people's livelihood and the fast development of local economy.
The Lhasa-Nyingchi railway, which took seven years to be constructed, commenced operation in June 2021, ending the history of no railways in southeastern Xizang.
Another railway, the Lhasa-Shigatse railway, has become the first fully serviced by Fuxing bullet trains in Xizang this year, greatly improving travel convenience in the region.
"The bullet train is stable with great signal. The trip from Shigatse City to Lhasa City now only takes two to three hours instead of five to six hours before, making our life more convenient," said Norbu Drolkar, a student of the No.2 Middle School in Shigatse City of Xizang.
"Convenient transport helps our village products reach beyond Xizang, allowing people nationwide to taste our products," said Tasang, a resident from Shannan City in Xizang.
In terms of healthcare, since the 18th CPC National Congress in 2012, the country has continued to increase investment in Xizang. As a result, a comprehensive urban-rural public health system across Xizang has been established, further strengthening the region's health security network.
"Many young people like me are working at grassroots levels to safeguard local health," said Penpa Drolma, a doctor from a hospital in Bainang County, Shigatse City.
Education forms the foundation of livelihoods. Since 2012, Xizang has pioneered a 15-year publicly funded education system from preschool to high school. Illiteracy rates have dropped from over 95 percent to 13.1 years of the average length of education received by new entrants into the workforce.
At the first primary school in Lhorong County of Qamdo City, students now can observe distant stars through telescopes on the playground.
"It's my first time seeing such beautiful stars! I'm now curious about the vast universe. Beyond Xizang and even the Earth, there's a huge world to explore," said a student.
China's Xizang significantly improves infrastructure in transportation, healthcare, education
