Xizang sees strong growth in economy

The Xizang autonomous region has witnessed a strong economic recovery in recent years, especially through a dramatic increase in foreign trade since the beginning of this year, according to the regional economic planner. The growth rates of key economic indicators in Xizang — GDP, fixed-asset investment, total retail sales of consumer goods, per capita disposable income of urban and rural residents, and import and export volume — all ranked top in the country last year, according to the region's development and reform commission. "A high-quality development model featuring innovation, coordination, green development, openness and sharing has been further promoted in the region, leading to a continuous reduction in the urban-rural income gap," said Wang Guanjie, deputy director of the region's development and reform commission. Tian Guanghua, head of the regional statistics bureau, said rapid social changes in the region date back to the democratic reforms in Xizang that started in 1959, after which the region's economic and social development underwent earthshaking changes. "The main highlights of the changes and development over the past few decades reflect comprehensive economic growth, with its economic growth rates ranking top nationwide, as well as the improvement in population quality and urbanization, the improvement in people's livelihoods, and overall social prosperity," Tian said.