TIBET FACTS AND FIGURES 2015 Preface The Tibetan Plateau maintained close contacts with other parts of China in the political, economic and cultural fields in his- tory. Tibet was officially put under the jurisdiction of the Central Government of China in middle of the 13th century, which is held by historians as the inevitable result of the historical development of China. In the 700-odd years thereafter, Tibet was ruled by the upper-class monks and lay people. During the period, the Central Government exercised rule over the territory of Tibet. China, Tibet included, was reduced into a semi-feudal and semi-colonial society after 1840.While leaving no stone unturned to carve up China, imperialist powers worked hard to cultivate peo- ple who stood for national separation. These people did their best to incite Tibetan independence, but failed to succeed. The People’s Republic of China was founded on October 1, 1949. On May 23, 1951, the Agreement of the Central People's Government and the Local Government of Tibet on Measures for the Peaceful Liberation of Tibet ("17-Article Agreement" for short) was signed in Beijing to bring about the peaceful liberation of Ti- bet. This was an important part of the cause of the Chinese people’s national liberation, a great event in the nation’s struggle against imperialism to safeguard national unity and sovereignty and a mile- stone marking the commencement of Tibet's progress from a dark and backward society toward a bright and advanced future. In the 1950s, when slavery and serfdom had long since been abandoned by modern civilization, Tibet still remained a society of theocratic feudal serfdom. Through the Democratic Reform in 1959, Tibet has abolished feudal serfdom and theocracy, estab- lished the system of people's congresses with the people as masters of the country. The Tibet Autonomous Region was established offi- cially in September 1965. Over the past 50 years since then, Tibet has gained unprec- edented achievements in various undertakings, witnessed great changes in social outlook and profound changes in the people’s lives, greatly improved the human rights conditions, achieved rapid and comprehensive economic and social development and made a world-acclaimed historical leap. The past over 60 years have shown that Tibet shares its destiny with the rest of the motherland; its development, in fact, would have been impossible without that of China as a whole. Tibet's rebirth and development would have been impossible without na- tional unification, independence and prosperity, the great unity of the Chinese nation, the support of the entire nation and the firm leadership of the Central Government. Only by adhering to the leadership of the CPC, the path of socialism, the system of regional ethnic autonomy, and the development mode with Chinese charac- teristics and Tibet's regional features, can it enjoy lasting prosperity and a bright future. The Dalai clique trumpeted the “middle way” in an attempt to gain the so-called “high degree of autonomy” by setting up the “greater Tibet” free from the jurisdiction of the Central Govern- ment. This move negates Chinese sovereignty over Tibet and is aimed at realizing its pipe dream of “greater Tibet”. Facts will tell the Dalai Lama his dream goes against the PRC Constitution and the State system. It will certainly be doomed. CONTENTS 01 02 Administrative Division,Ethnic Geography and Natural Makeup, Population and Religion 1 Resources 29 Administrative Division 2 Geography and Climate 30 Ethnic Makeup 12 Natural Resources 38 Population 13 Religion 17 03 04 History and Administrative System of Regional Ethnic Division 45 Autonomy 75 History 46 Political Autonomy Right 76 Administrative Division 66 Economic Development 81 Protection, Inheritance and Development of Excellent Traditional Tibetan Culture 84 05 06 Customs and Folklore 89 Economy 99 Tibetan Festivals 90 General Survey 100 Clothing Culture 91 Aid to Tibet 102 Catering Culture 92 Financial Revenue and Expenditure 103 Traditional Marriage Customs and Investment in Fixed Assets 104 Funeral Customs 94 Agriculture and Animal Husbandry 106 Traditional Folk Houses 95 Industry and Construction 109 Domestic Trade 113 Foreign Trade 115 Finance 117 CONTENTS 07 08 Transportation, Postal Services, and Telecommunications 143 Environmental Protection 159 Highways 145 Aviation 147 Railways 149 Pipeline Transportation 151 Postal Services, Telecommunications and the Internet 153 09 10 Education, Science and Culture, Health and Sports 175 Technology 163 Education 164 Culture 176 Science and Technology 167 Medical Treatment and Health Care 184 Sports Undertakings 187 11 12 Living Conditions and Tourism 211 Social Security 195 Living Conditions 196 Tourism Resources 212 Social Security and Employment 199 Tourist Reception Capability 213 01 Administrative Division, Ethnic Makeup, Population and Religion Administrative Division Ethnic Makeup Population Religion Tibet Facts and Figures 2015 Administrative Division, Ethnic 01 Makeup, Population and Religion Administrative Division Situated in the southwestern border area of the People’s Republic of China, the Tibet Autonomous Region lies at 78°25´—99°06´E and 26°50´—36°53´N, and cov- ers an area of about 1.22 million square km, or one-eighth of China’s land territory area.With a size equal to the total of the five countries including the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, France, Germany, the Netherland and Luxem- burg, Tibet is the second largest provincial-level area in China, next only to the Xinji- ang Uygur Autonomous Region.It abuts the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region and Qinghai Province in the north, Sichuan and Yunnan Provinces in the east and south- east.It also has a 3,800 km border with the neighboring countries of Myanmar, India, Tibet is known as the “Roof of the World” with vast area and rare population. 2 Administrative Division, Ethnic Makeup, Population and Religion Bhutan and Nepal as well as Kashmir in the south and west.Tucked away at an eleva- tion of over 4,000 meters on average, Tibet is often known as the “Roof of the World”. The Tibet Autonomous Region is one of the five provincial-level autonomous re- gions of the ethnic minority groups. The Tibet Autonomous Region exercises jurisdic- tion over four prefectural-level cities (Lhasa City, Xigaze City, Qamdo City and Nying- chi City), three prefectures (Nagqu, Shannan, and Ngari Prefectures), four county-level districts ( Chengguan Districs under Lhasa City, Samzhubze District under Xigaze City, Karu District under Qamdo City and Payi District under Nyingchi City) and 70 counties. Lhasa is the capital of the region. Lhasa City Located in the central south part of Tibet, Lhasa is the political, economic and cultural center of Tibet as well as the most important air and land traffic hub. With an area of 31,622 square km, it exercises jurisdiction over Chengguan Dis- trict and seven counties including Dagze, Lhunzhub, Damxung, Nyemo, Quxu, Doilungdeqen and Maizhokunggar.The city is home to more than 30 ethnic groups including Tibetan, Han and Hui, of which Tibetans account for more than Lhasa in Autumn. 3 Tibet Facts and Figures 2015 87 percent of the total population. It falls into the category of a highland monsoon climate.Tibet’s major grain and economic crops could also be found in the city.Its medicinal herbs include Chinese caterpillar fungus, caladium, rhodiola root, ginseng fruit, musk and pilose antler.Its wildlife includes wild yaks, wild donkeys, black-necked cranes, Mongolia gazelles and Tibetan antelopes.Its traditional handicrafts include waist knives, kardian cushions, carpets, bamdian aprons, wooden bowls, and gold and silver jewelries. Lhasa has a long history, reflected in its rich endowment under State protection (16) and 47 under the protection of the Tibet Autonomous Region (TAR).Its famous cultural attractions include the Potala Palace, Jokhang Monastery and the Norbu Ling- ka, now listed by UNESCO as World Cultural Heritage sites.Others include, Ram- poche Monastery, Zhaibung Monastery, Sera Monastery, Zongjab Lukhang, Gandain, Curpu and Razheng monasteries, as well as the cultural site of the Neolithic period in Qoigong. Major natural attractions include Nam Co Lake-Nyainqentanglha Moun- tains National Scenic Area, Lhalu Wetland National Nature Reserve, and Yangbajain Geothermal Field, the snow peaks of the Nyainqentanglha range, hot springs at De- zong and Doilung, and the nature reserves in Lhunzhub and Meizhukongka.Thus far, the TAR has opened more than 200 scenic spots, including some 20 major ones. Xigaze City Xigaze City is one of China’s youngest prefecture-level cities. The State Council approved the change from the former Xigaze Prefecture in July 2014 to establish the prefecture-level Xigaze City. The present Samzhubze District was formerly the county- level Xigaze City. Located in southwestern part of Tibet, Xigaze City abuts Bhutan, India and Nepal in the south.It covers Samzhubze District and 17 counties including Namling, Gyangze, Tingri, Sagya, Lhaze, Ngamring, Xaitongmoin, Bainang, Rinbung, Kang- mar, Dinggye, Kamba, Zhongba, Yadong, Gyirong, Nylam and Sagya. With an area of 180,000 square km, it is home mainly to Tibetans.Other ethnic groups found here include the Han, Hui, Mongol, Naxi, plus Sherpa people. Xigaze is considered to be home to many plateau pastures, fields, forests, and snow-covered peaks. The Qomolangma Nature Reserve boasts the world’s highest most 4 Administrative Division, Ethnic Makeup, Population and Religion Farmers in Xigaze throwing Zanba into the air to pray for a bumper harvest during the Ongkor (Bumper Harvest) Festival. intact vertical eco-system. Major scenic spots and places of historical interest include the Tashilhungpo Monastery, Sagya Monastery, site of Tibetans fighting British invad- ers at Zongshan Hill, Xialhu Monastery, Tang Tianzu Envoy Inscriptions, Qoide Mon- astery and Zholmalhakang, which are subject to national cultural protection, as well as the Natang Monastery, Rongbo Monastery, Palkor Monastery and Parlha Manor.