The GDP of Tibet Autonomous Region in 2016 reached 114.8 billion yuan (16.5 billion U.S. dollars), achieving an 11.5 percent growth and the 24th straight year of double-digit growth, according to the government work report delivered by Losang Gyaltsen, Chairman of TAR at the 5th session of the 10th People's Congress of the region opening on January 10.     

The figures show a good momentum of economic growth of Tibet in the context of world economic downturn.  

Last year, TAR's fixed asset investment increased by 20 percent, amounting to 161 billion yuan. The per capita disposable income of urban and rural residents reached 27,857 yuan and 9,316 yuan respectively.

The plateau received over 23 million tourists, with the total revenue of 33 billion yuan, which helped provide jobs for more than 97,000 farmers and herdsmen.   

In addition, various measures were taken by the central and regional government to alleviate poverty and improve people’s livelihood. More than 130,000 people on the plateau get rid of poverty.    

 “In 2017, Tibet’s main focus will be promoting structural reform on the supply side, improving the quality and efficiency of development, and the growth target will be at least 11 percent,” said Losang Gyaltsen, adding that attention would be paid to especially six areas: development of education and health, major infrastructure construction, scale development of the green industry, activation of social capital, ecological security and innovation of social governance.