Four days into the exact date 60 years ago that Tibet welcomed a new dawn of civilization, the region's top official Padma Choling told reporters that the roof of the world has achieved miraculous growth since what is known as the peaceful liberation.[Photo/Chinar.org.cn]

Four days into the exact date 60 years ago that Tibet welcomed a new dawn of civilization, the region's top official Padma Choling told reporters that the roof of the world has achieved miraculous growth since what is known as the peaceful liberation.

A milder weather and bright hot sunshine are magnates to tourists to the landmark Potala Palace in Lhasa. The boom in tourism is far from the only change that has happened. Life expectancy has nearly doubled compared with 60 years ago, the population has tripled, while 99 percent of the region's children now receive education at primary school level. But the region's top official believe improving people's lives is still a top priority.

Padma Choling, Chairman of Tivet Autonomous Region, said, "To improve people's livelihood, increase the income of farmers and herders are the first important job for the economic and social development in Tibet. This job is complicated by the wide landscape and scarcity of its population. In the next five years, we will further increase our investment to enable our rural residents with road, electricity, telecommunications, radio, television, clean burning gas, a good environment and post services."

The chairman attributed the development to the wisdom and hard work of the Tibetan people, and the help from the central government and people from all over the country. As top official, he said his duty is to maintain security and development for those he serves. He said he is in a much better position to represent the Tibetan people than the Dalai Lama.

 
Padma Choling, Chairman of Tivet Autonomous Region, said, "The Tibetans are crystal clear who brings benefit to themselves." [Photo/China.org.cn]

Padma Choling, Chairman of Tivet Autonomous Region, said, "The Tibetans are crystal clear who brings benefit to themselves. The Dalai Lama, whatever he does, he will bound to have some influence in Tibet, but that influence will be very minor. It will be a good thing if the Dalai Lama really concentrate on the development of the Tibetan Buddhism. But will he do this? The Tibetans want stability and economic prosperity, but the Dalai Lama has never done anything in that regard."

That, according to the chairman, is exactly what the local government is doing. He said his government is working hard to find a unique way of development for Tibet. A development that is by the people, for the people, and shared by all the people in the region.

Despite its fast economic growth and improvements to the quality of life, Tibet has been saying "no" to massive industrialization. It's more an effort to save the region's astonishing scenery and culture. Just how to maintain the development momentum while preserving its unique landscape will be a challenge for decades to come.

 
Four days into the exact date 60 years ago that Tibet welcomed a new dawn of civilization, the region's top official Padma Choling told reporters that the roof of the world has achieved miraculous growth since what is known as the peaceful  liberation. [Photo/China.org.cn]