Cangqung (left) poses with her son Qoipei Cering in Mingma village of Lhaze county, Shigatse, Tibet autonomous region; troupe members perform for Mingma residents at a relocation site. In 2016, all Mingma residents relocated to a new village in pursuit of development. Since relocating, Cangqung and her family members now have access to a leisure square, activity center, school and other amenities. She has opened a store of her own, earning 10,000 yuan (US$1,476.06) annually. She is also entitled to dividends from a village cooperative. Photograph clicked on Aug 2. (PHOTO / XINHUA)

In the 55th year of the founding of the Tibet autonomous region and implementation of the socialist system, the major achievements Tibet has made in multiple areas is worth noting.

Aiming to develop a moderately prosperous society, Tibet has registered impressive economic growth, with its GDP rising from 327 million yuan (US$48.17 million) in 1965 to nearly 170 billion yuan in 2019. The per capita disposable income of Tibetan residents has risen from 141 yuan in 1965 to 19,501 yuan in 2019.

Tibet has registered impressive economic growth, with its GDP rising from 327 million yuan (US$48.17 million) in 1965 to nearly 170 billion yuan in 2019

The local population has increased from about 1.37 million in 1965 to 3.51 million in 2019, with ethnic Tibetans still forming an overwhelming majority. Meanwhile, the average lifespan of Tibetan people has increased from 35.5 years in the 1950s, to 68 years in 2014 and 70.6 years now, all thanks to economic development.

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In the past, difficult natural conditions ensured that Tibet remained poor. In 2010 it was dotted with a wide range of poverty-stricken areas and had the widest range of poverty-stricken areas in China. Around 32.33 percent of Tibet's inhabitants were poor before the central government launched the targeted poverty-alleviation campaign in 2012. However, thanks to preferential policies and central funds, 74 counties in Tibet were lifted out of poverty, and extreme poverty eradicated there in 2019.

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Tsering Qoipei (left) in Gangsha village of Burang county, Ngari prefecture, Tibet autonomous region; Qoipei making a bed at a hotel he runs at the foot of Mount Kangrinboqe. Many Gangsha residents earn a livelihood by offering tourist services there. Photograph clicked on July 27. (PHOTO / XINHUA)

Economic development apart, Tibet has built a completely modern education system. The average number of years of schooling there has risen to 9.55. Since 2012, Tibetan children are enjoying 15 years of free education. Apart from preferential compulsory education policies, children of farmers and herdsmen in Tibet also get free meals and dormitories in schools, and are exempted from paying tuition fee. Even children from poor families in urban areas get government grants and subsidies.

Ji Taijia, a senior doctor prescribing Tibetan medicine in Beijing, said education is a key factor that helped lift people of his hometown out of poverty.

Sujia (left) poses at an eco-friendly agricultural industrial park in Gar county, Ngari prefecture, Tibet autonomous region; Sujia checking crop at an eco-friendly agricultural industrial park. Sujia began learning farming techniques at the park in 2017. He now earns a monthly salary of 6,000 yuan (US$885.07). Photograph clicked on July 25.  (PHOTO / XINHUA)

"I was born in a small village in the 1950s," he said. "I would have remained there forever had it not been for my education. I studied Tibetan medicine in Qinghai province and became a doctor there before arriving in Beijing in 2003 for my major. I hope more youngsters from my hometown can follow my example, receive higher education and move out. That is how the living condition of the Tibetan people will improve while Tibetan culture spreads elsewhere."

Gangma Daje (left) in Gangsha village of Burang county, Ngari prefecture, Tibet autonomous region; Mount Kangrinboqe in Burang county. Daje earns a livelihood by offering tourist services at the foot of Mount Kangrinboqe. Photograph clicked on July 27.  (PHOTO / XINHUA)

Tonzhub (left) in Bangbug village of Tingri county, Shigatse, Tibet autonomous region; Tonzhub feeds livestock at the animal husbandry in Bangbug. He earns 3,500 yuan (US$516.62) monthly tending to his sheep, which also earn him dividends at the end of the year. Photograph clicked on July 31. (PHOTO / XINHUA)

Toinzhub Dorje (left) poses with his grandson Qumda at the Kangle Xinju poverty-relief relocation site in Gar county, Tibet autonomous region; an aerial view of Kangle Xinju, which is home to over 2,000 people who have relocated from less hospitable areas. Dorje moved to Kangle Xinju from Gerze county of Ngari prefecture in 2017. The family now lives in a 100-square-meter house which has access to a clinic, kindergarten, activity center and other amenities. Photograph clicked on July 25.  (PHOTO / XINHUA)

Gangzeng (left) poses while working at a garment and carpet factory in Kangle Xinju poverty-relief relocation site in Gar county, Tibet autonomous region. The poverty-relief relocation site is home to over 2,000 plateau inhabitants who have relocated from less hospitable areas. Gangzeng moved to Kangle Xinju from Gerze county of Ngari prefecture in 2017. Her family now lives in a 125-square-meter house. Photograph clicked on July 25.  (PHOTO / XINHUA)