Xi: Build a united, prosperous new Xizang

President Xi Jinping, who is also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, waves to waiting crowds after arriving on Wednesday at Lhasa, the Xizang autonomous region, ahead of a grand gathering on Thursday to celebrate the region's 60th founding anniversary. XINHUA

President Xi Jinping has emphasized prioritizing efforts to maintain political stability, social harmony, ethnic solidarity and amity among religions in the Xizang autonomous region, ahead of a grand gathering in celebration of the region's 60th founding anniversary to be held on Thursday.

Xi, who is also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, arrived in Lhasa, the regional capital, earlier on Wednesday, as he led a central delegation to attend activities marking the anniversary.

Upon his arrival, he was greeted by a cheering crowd dancing to joyful rhythms at the airport and local people lined up along the streets.

It was the first time in the history of the Party and the country that a leader visited Xizang on its founding anniversary in the capacities of general secretary of the CPC Central Committee, Chinese president and chairman of the CMC.

The trip came four years after Xi, in the same capacities, visited the region in 2021 for the 70th anniversary of its peaceful liberation, also the first time in the history of the Party and the country.

It is considered as a reflection of the great attention attached by Xi and the CPC Central Committee to Xizang, as well as their deep care for officials and people of all ethnic groups in the region.

Speaking at a meeting with local authorities on Wednesday afternoon, Xi highlighted Xizang's four major tasks of ensuring stability, facilitating development, protecting the eco-environment and strengthening the borders. The region should strive to build a modern socialist new Xizang that is united, prosperous, civilized, harmonious and beautiful, he said.

Xi spoke highly of the remarkable achievements made in Xizang's economic and social development over the past 60 years and extended sincere greetings and heartfelt wishes to the people of all ethnic groups in Xizang on behalf of the CPC Central Committee.

President Xi and the central delegation are welcomed by local people lining the streets of Lhasa and a cheering crowd at the airport on Wednesday. XINHUA

To build Xizang into a model region for ethnic solidarity and progress, Xi said that efforts should be made to popularize national common language and characters, strengthen exchanges, communication and integration among all ethnic groups, and encourage two-way economic, cultural and personnel flows between Xizang and other parts of the country.

He also stressed advancing the adaptation of Tibetan Buddhism to the socialist society according to the guideline of adapting religion to China's realities and handling religious affairs in line with the law.

Situated on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau and known as the "roof of the world", Xizang has an average altitude of over 4,000 meters above sea level.

Xi said the region should leverage its plateau-specific advantages to develop agriculture and animal husbandry as well as clean energy, while steadily advancing resource processing and actively promoting the integration of culture and tourism.

He said that major projects such as the hydropower project in the lower reaches of the Yarlung Zangbo River and the Sichuan-Xizang Railway should be advanced in an orderly and effective manner with vigorous efforts.

To safeguard the "roof of the world" and "Asia's water tower", Xi called for coordinated efforts to cut carbon emissions, reduce pollution, expand green development and pursue economic growth, while strengthening ecological conservation.

Over the past six decades, Xizang has progressed from subsistence to well-being, and onward to a prosperous new life. The per capita disposable income of urban residents has increased 122-fold, while that of rural residents has risen 200-fold.

President Xi and the central delegation are welcomed by local people lining the streets of Lhasa and a cheering crowd at the airport on Wednesday. FENG YONGBIN/CHINA DAILY

To enhance the sense of fulfillment, happiness and security among people of all ethnic groups in the region, Xi said it is important to consolidate and expand the achievements in poverty alleviation, and earnestly address people's livelihood needs in employment, education, healthcare, social security, elderly care and child care.

He also called for post-disaster reconstruction to be continued in Dingri county, which was struck by a magnitude 6.8 earthquake in early January.

Noting that upholding the Party's leadership is crucial for work related to Xizang, Xi said that officials and people of all ethnic groups should follow the Party and foster a healthy political atmosphere of integrity within the Party.

On Wednesday afternoon, Xi met with representatives from all ethnic groups and all walks of life in the plateau region, urging concerted efforts to write a splendid chapter of Chinese modernization in Xizang.

He also held separate meetings with representatives of cadres who had come to work in Xizang from other parts of the country, local officials at various levels and from various departments, judicial workers and police officers, as well as patriotic members of religious circles, among others.

Xi also met with military officers ranked colonel and above, along with representatives of grassroots role models and civilian personnel from troops stationed in Lhasa. He conveyed his greetings to all military personnel in Xizang on behalf of the CPC Central Committee and the CMC.

On Wednesday evening, Xi, together with officials and people of all ethnic groups in the region, watched performances at a gala staged to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the founding of the Xizang autonomous region.