GENEVA/LHASA, Oct. 27 (Xinhua) -- Journalists and foreign envoys have witnessed rapid social and economic development in China's Xizang Autonomous Region during recent visits and were impressed by its rich culture and improved quality of life.

"Seeing is believing," said Khalil Hashmi, Pakistan's permanent representative to the United Nations Office at Geneva, who described his recent trip to Xizang as "a pleasant surprise contrary to what we hear from some Western delegates."

DYNAMIC DEVELOPMENT

Permanent representative of Belarus to the United Nations Office at Geneva Larysa Belskaya shared a similar view with Hashmi after visiting Xizang on a recent trip. "The dynamic economic development of modern Xizang is very impressive," she said.

"While traveling, we saw active construction of roads and bridges, houses and infrastructure. I was very impressed by the mountain slopes dotted with endless power lines and transmission towers," the Belarussian envoy told Xinhua.

In Xizang, the envoys traveled to villages and cities and visited various places, including schools, health facilities and religious sites. "We saw a massive development in the form of highways, electricity and an excellent airport in Lhasa," said Hashmi, who has been appointed Pakistan's new envoy to China.

Hashmi said, for Xizang, which covers an area of over 1.2 million square kilometers, "it takes a huge political commitment and economic, financial commitment to connect this vast region, to put in place the infrastructure, including roads, bridges, trains, electricity, water, running water, schools, hospitals and so on."

Rapid development has benefited residents in Xizang's rural and urban areas, thanks to the Chinese government's emphasis on people-centered development.

In Xiga village, Nyinchi city, the envoys encountered a family resettled from a hard-to-reach mountainous area. The family and its neighbors were provided with comfortable accommodations, financial support and employment.

Thanks to continuous investment and support from the whole country, Xizang has undergone rapid development over recent decades, and by the end of 2019 the autonomous region had eradicated absolute poverty.

"People live simply, do not bathe in luxury, but have a good income, a cozy house and vegetable garden, work, and education for children. They have no problems with drinking water, electricity or medical care," said the Belarussian envoy.

"I believe it's a good illustration of China's policy of eradicating poverty through targeted assistance and development on the ground," she added.

RICH CULTURE

Xizang's rich culture and traditions also left deep impressions on the visitors.

At the College of Tibetan Medicine in Lhasa, unique ancient handwritten recipes were being digitized and used to advance research into Tibetan medicine and treat patients. Traditional medicine, representing centuries-old healing practices and cultural heritage, serves the region's population and the entire nation.

Ambassador Hashmi called every monastery in Lhasa a "living example of religious freedom" after witnessing large crowds of devotees praying and performing their religious rituals in traditional attire.

Contrary to popular belief, freedom of religion is respected in Xizang. According to a white paper released by China's State Council Information Office in May 2021, the region has more than 1,700 sites for Tibetan Buddhist activities, with about 46,000 monks and nuns.

The Jokhang Temple at the heart of Lhasa is a famous site for religious devotees and tourists. Visitors speaking various languages and dialects were in abundance.

Built in the seventh century, the Jokhang Temple houses numerous historical relics and exhibits quintessential Tibetan architecture. "Whether they come from Tibetan areas in China, other regions in the country, or internationally, they can all enjoy their freedom of religious belief at the Jokhang Temple," said Luosang, one of the administrative staff at the temple.

The recent trips also took journalists and foreign envoys to local schools, where students were seen attending classes in the Tibetan language and practicing traditional writing and calligraphy, music and singing.

"All these impressions allow me to say that the rich mosaic of Tibetan culture and spiritual traditions is respected, maintained and developed," said Belskaya.

EDUCATION FOR ALL

Covering more than 1.2 million square kilometers, the Xizang Autonomous Region has a much lower population density than the national average, making it inconvenient for students to attend classes. In the past, many places in the region tried to set up tent schools or "horseback schools" to offer education to more children, but mainly with compromised education quality.

More schools have been built today, and education has become much more accessible, including for farmers and herders in remote areas.

"The biggest achievement there is to make local kids who live with their parents in far-away places have the opportunity to study in primary schools, in middle schools and also in high schools to fully realize their potential and to open the path to future prosperity and social development," Hashmi said to Xinhua.

In Nagqu city, principal Awang Wangdui said his school, Baingoin Sinopec Primary School, teaches both Tibetan and Mandarin classes. Its 1,300 students are provided with free meals and basic medical care.

Herdsman Luobu Jiacuo, whose daughter is enrolled at the school, told Xinhua he was grateful the school provided heating. At some 4,700 meters above sea level, the daytime temperature fell to minus 5 degrees Celcius as he spoke to Xinhua.

Baima Jianceng, a fourth-grade student at the school, told Xinhua he loved the school for its sports activities and the friendships he forged with his classmates.

"I love to play basketball. At home, I only had a basketball hoop hand-made by my dad, and the only playmates I could find were my sisters," said Baima Jianceng, whose home is on a pastoral ranch over 100 kilometers away.

"When I came here, I was surprised to learn that the real basketball hoop was so high," said the 12-year-old boy. "I was so happy to have classmates to play with on the court." Enditem

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