Characterised by a harsh weather and separatist tendencies, the province has received strong support from mainland China to put its 3.2 million people on almost same level with others.
From observation and facts on the ground in one of China’s Autonomous Provinces – Tibet, what would have otherwise been a stumbling block to socio-economic development has rather served as purveyor to sustainable growth. The level of evolution of the province’s development, authorities say, is proof that its harsh weather and separatist tendencies notwithstanding, the central government holds that all Chinese have equal rights to development irrespective of where they find themselves in the 1.4 billion populated country. Tibet, popularly known as ‘Roof of the world’ is one of the highest altitude places in the world (4,000 m) characterized by low oxygen and intermittent weather changes, all risky for human habitation. Tibet is known for its separatist tendencies in China with the Dalai Lama. But the central government believes that balancing development gives the 3.2 million population of the province a sense of belonging to mainland China and a rare opportunity for them to unleash their full potentials in propelling one China to the limelight. An inspiring approach worth emulating by countries that may still abandon topographically challenged areas to nature and neglect ‘opposition strongholds’ in development planning!
Visible Fruits
According to the Vice Chairman of the Government of Tibet Autonomous Region, Jiang Jie, “Gone are the days when Tibetans did not have access to highways, railways, electricity and other development infrastructure.” And from observation vis-à-vis other seven provinces this reporter has visited thus far in China, Tibet is fast levelling up with other provinces in terms of growth. Its level of socio-economic development, analysts say, is vivid testimony of the successful balance development approach initiated and piloted by China’s Communist Party.
Based on its ethnic development policies of ‘ethnic unity and equality, promoting socio-economic development of all ethnic minorities, respecting, protecting and upholding their cultures and traditions as well as religious beliefs,’ the central government has rallied all and sundry behind the development of Tibet. The central government, Cameroon Tribune learnt, has a platform; “Working Meeting of Tibet” through which financial and human resources from other provinces are federated to make Tibet a place to be. Infrastructure development on the ground speaks of the success of the approach. Thanks to these efforts, Tibet that in the yesteryears lagged behind in transport infrastructure as at last year had over 78,000 km of railways, over five airports, uncountable stretches of expressways and over 2.3 million KW of installed energy capacity more than enough to power households and industries.
The region has also capitalized on its comparative advantage especially in mineral water production thanks to which among others it recorded a 100 billion Yuan GDP last year, representing an 11 per cent increase from that of 2014. Much visited tourists sites like the Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple et al wherein cultural relics are jealously protected for posterity attracted over 200 million tourists last year generating over 28 billion Yuan for the economy. Although with a week economy compared to other provinces, government authorities told CT, “In Tibet we focus more on the wellbeing of the population and not the GDP.” Reason why a 15-year compulsory but free education (from nursery to high school) is being implemented and other growth-induced and social infrastructure given prominence.
With over 30 research institutes notably in Highland Ecology and Tibetanology, Tibet has helped to propel China’s research and innovation to global glory. Coupled with a state-of-the-art vocational training institute in the Provincial capital, Lhasa Middle Vocational and Technical School, citizens are groomed to squarely fit into the competitive job market. Dominated by agriculture and animal husbandry, Tibet has developed good training and research avenues like the Zhizhao Industrial Park to meet the needs of the numerous farmers and cattle rearers. That the first quarter growth rate of the province for 2016 hit 23.854 billion Yuan, one of the fastest in China, speaks of a hitherto backyard locality shooting for the skies thanks to concerted efforts. Adapting the Tibet’s approach elsewhere could yield similar dividends and lift impoverished and hitherto ‘rejected’ population off scary backwardness.
