CCTV:

We know that this year marks the 60th anniversary of the founding of Xizang Autonomous Region, and also the final year of the 14th Five-Year Plan period. May I ask what kind of results Xizang Autonomous Region has delivered in terms of economic development, especially in achieving high-quality and sustainable development while ensuring rapid economic growth? Thank you.

Wang Junzheng:

Thanks for your question. I will answer it. Since the start of the 14th Five-Year Plan period, under the strong leadership of the CPC Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core, Xizang Autonomous Region has resolutely implemented General Secretary Xi Jinping's important instructions on Xizang and the Party's guidelines for governing Xizang in the new era. We have fully and accurately put into practice the new development philosophy, and have consistently prioritized the four major issues set out by General Secretary Xi Jinping for Xizang — stability, development, ecology and border-area consolidation — throughout our economic and social development. We are working hard to ensure both long-term stability and high-quality growth in Xizang. Further progress has been made in regional economic and social development and solid steps have been taken toward building a new modern socialist Xizang. Our achievements can be seen in the following areas.

First, the new development philosophy has taken root. Xizang made a historic leap from feudal serfdom to socialism, and this fundamental transformation has played an important role in the region's economic and social development. Through practice and in the course of advancing high-quality socioeconomic development in Xizang, people of all ethnic groups have come to deeply understand that development must be guided by Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era. The new development philosophy has gained broad support among the public. 

Second, the region's economy continues to grow. We have seen consistent improvements in the quality and efficiency of economic growth. Since the start of the 14th Five-Year Plan period, Xizang's main economic indicators have for years remained among the fastest-growing in the country.

Third, development momentum continues to strengthen. Major projects are progressing at an accelerated pace. During the 14th Five-Year Plan period, over 400 billion yuan in planned investment has been put in place. Key projects such as the Sichuan–Xizang Railway are being advanced. The Yarlung Zangbo River hydropower project, personally planned and promoted by General Secretary Xi Jinping, has officially started construction. The Lhasa–Nyingchi Railway and expressways from Lhasa to Shigatse and Nagqu have opened to traffic, while airports in Luntse, Burang and Dingri have begun operations. These major projects are playing an increasingly strong role in supporting economic development, ensuring that Xizang's economy is vibrant today and has great potential for the future.

Fourth, new progress has been made in industrial cultivation and development. Emerging industries such as clean energy, green industry, digital economy and cultural tourism are developing rapidly. In 2024, the region received more than 63.89 million visits by tourists from home and abroad, with the total tourism expenditure exceeding 74.6 billion yuan, representing increases of 15.8% and 14.5% year on year, respectively. The plateau light industry, which is closely linked to the lives of local people, has made breakthrough progress. Xizang's independently developed and produced highland cookware brands, Xuelianhua (Snow Lotus) and Gesanghua (Gesang Flower), are selling well. The total sales volume of Xuelianhua plateau cookers has exceeded 1.2 million units, with sales revenue reaching 500 million yuan.

Fifth, urban and rural areas have taken on a fresh look. Coordinated urban-rural development has brought about tremendous changes from yak-felt tents to modern new cities, with over 800 plateau-based beautiful and harmonious villages having been built. The percentage of permanent urban residents is close to 40%, and sanitary toilet coverage exceeds 80% in agricultural and pastoral areas, with the living environment continuously improving.

Sixth, reform and opening up have been comprehensively deepened. The business environment has been continuously optimized, with the items requiring administrative approval being reduced by nearly half and the availability rate of online government services reaching 100%. Nyingchi has achieved remarkable results in its pilot reform and opening up efforts. The comprehensive bonded zone in Lhasa has been put into operation and construction of land port in Xigaze has accelerated. As a result, Xizang's internal and external opening up has significantly enhanced.

The 15th Five-Year Plan period is a crucial transitional period for achieving a basic socialist modernization as well as for building a modern socialist new Xizang. We will earnestly summarize the experience and laws governing the development during the 14th Five-Year Plan period, adhere to the unity between top-level design and consulting the people for advice, and achieve science-based and democratic decision-making. Through these efforts, we will continuously deepen and improve the development concept for the 15th Five-Year Plan. We will formulate a science-based 15th Five-Year Plan to promote long-term stability and high-quality development in Xizang, with better quality and stronger resilience. We believe that with the continuous efforts of people of all ethnic groups in the region, we will definitely achieve the goal of successfully concluding the 14th Five-Year Plan and making a good start to the 15th Five-Year Plan. Thank you.