This year, Xizang Autonomous Region will strive to reach GDP growth of between 7 and 8 percent, higher than the 6.3-percent growth it achieved last year and much higher than the national target of around 5 percent set at this year's Two Sessions in early March. The target reflects continued government confidence, at both the central and regional levels, in the improvement in Xizang's social and economic development prospects.

Like China's other regions, Xizang has experienced rapid development of its economy, society and governance over the past seven decades, exchanging feudal serfdom for modern socialism and participating in the China Miracle brought about by the economic reforms since the late 1970s. Now, the region is moving forward in shared pursuit of China's mid-century goals for continued modernization and national rejuvenation.

Specifically, Xizang is focusing on achieving balanced regional development by promoting high-quality development, strengthening infrastructure, advancing industrial upgrading, safeguarding and improving people's wellbeing, increasing investment, optimizing the industrial structure, boosting green development, enhancing ecological protection and improving public services.

Some recent accomplishments include: In 2024, the percentage of days with excellent air quality remained above 99 percent, and the water quality of major rivers and lakes met or exceeded Grade III (good) standard; the population of the region increased from 1.23 million in 1959 to 3.66 million in 2020, and the average life expectancy increased from 35.5 years in 1959 to 72.19 years in 2020; the region has taken the national lead by establishing a 15-year publicly funded education system, from kindergarten all the way up to senior high school; in 2023, the region had 1,821 medical institutions (excluding village clinics) with 21,551 hospital beds and 29,379 healthcare professionals.

Most importantly, these achievements, alongside the region's sustained and rapid economic development, have laid strong foundations for the core purpose of improving people's wellbeing. The successes in the improvement of livelihoods, education and health are a vivid example of the Chinese development model in action.