China issues white paper on Tibet's development - Xinhua

BEIJING, Oct. 22 (Xinhua) -- The Chinese government on Tuesday issued a white paper on west China's Tibet Autonomous Region, detailing its comprehensive development and rapid progress in the past 60-odd years.

"The development and progress in modern Tibet results from the innate logic of its social and historical environment, and has its roots in China's progress in a larger context," says the white paper, released by the Information Office of the State Council under the title "Development and Progress of Tibet."

Describing the region prior to the 1950s "as dark and backward as medieval Europe," the white paper notes in the foreword that Tibet was a society of feudal serfdom under theocratic rule, a society characterized by a combination of political and religious powers.

According to the white paper, after a series of key historical stages including the peaceful liberation, democratic reform, the establishment of the autonomous region and the reform and opening-up drive, the Tibetan people have gained freedom, equality and dignity, and are fully enjoying the fruits of modern civilization.

With six chapters, the white paper elaborates Tibet's development over the past six decades in the fields of economy, people's livelihoods, political systems, cultural preservation, religious freedom and environmental protection, among others.

BEIJING, Oct. 22 (Xinhua) -- Tibetan culture has been well preserved and developed, and freedom of religious belief has been respected and protected, says a white paper issued on Tuesday.

The study and use of the Tibetan language and script are protected by law in China, and bilingual education, with Tibetan as the principal language, is widespread in Tibet, says the white paper "Development and Progress of Tibet" issued by the Information Office of the State Council.Full story

Voter turnout in Tibet tops 94 pct: white paper

BEIJING, Oct. 22 (Xinhua) -- Voter turnout in Tibet's local elections exceeded 94 percent in 2012, says a white paper issued on Tuesday.

According to "Development and Progress of Tibet" issued by the Information Office of the State Council, deputies of Tibetan and other ethnic minorities make up the overwhelming majority in the local congresses at all levels. Full story

Tibet's 2012 gross output hit 70 bln yuan: white paper

BEIJING, Oct. 22 (Xinhua) -- The gross regional product (GRP) of southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region has rocketed from 129 million yuan (21 million U.S. dollars) in 1951 to 70.1 billion yuan last year, says a white paper issued on Tuesday.

The increase marked annual growth of 8.5 percent on average, says the white paper "Development and Progress of Tibet" issued by the Information Office of the State Council, adding that the region's per capita GRP reached 22,900 yuan. Full story

Dalai Lama aims to rock Tibet's foundation: white paper

BEIJING, Oct. 22 (Xinhua) -- The true aim of the 14th Dalai Lama and his clique in exile is to rock the systemic foundations that have ensured the development and progress of Tibet, says a white paper issued on Tuesday.

The Dalai Lama and his clique are conducting separatist activities for a long time to sabotage Tibet's development and stability, and it aims to "overthrow the socialist system and the system of regional ethnic autonomy that is practiced in Tibet," says the white paper "Development and Progress of Tibet" issued by the Information Office of the State Council. Full story

Tibet is one of world's cleanest areas: white paper

BEIJING, Oct. 22 (Xinhua) -- The Tibet Plateau is "the third-cleanest area in the world in terms of its environment," after the South Pole and North Pole, says a white paper issued on Tuesday.

"It has a clean and transparent atmospheric environment, and similar contents of pollutants to the North Pole," says the white paper "Development and Progress of Tibet" issued by the Information Office of the State Council. Full story