Tibet embraces the future

<article><section data-type="rtext"><img data-alt="Then vs. Now: A scene of Lhasa in the 1950s, and a new look of Lhasa on Aug 13, 2021. [Photo/Xinhua]" src="//img.huanqiucdn.cn/dp/api/files/imageDir/c2501e4ae09b70c2b376f01a4828fbf8.jpeg?imageView2/2/w/1260" />In 1951, under the leadership of the Communist Party of China, Tibet was peacefully liberated, smashing the vain attempt of external forces to separate Tibet from China.The Tibetan people and the people of all ethnic groups across the country embarked on the bright future of unity, progress and development in the big family of the motherland. Over the past 70 years, this ancient and magical snow-capped plateau has gone through important development stages such as peaceful liberation, democratic reforms, the establishment of the autonomous region, and reform and opening-up. It has achieved fundamental changes in the social system and the overall development and progress of various undertakings.In the Tibet autonomous region today, the Party's leadership is fully strengthened, the overall social situation is harmonious and stable, the economy continues to develop rapidly, all poverty-stricken counties are lifted out of poverty, people's living standards are comprehensively improved, the ecological security barrier is effectively strengthened, ethnic unity is increasingly consolidated, religion and socialist society increasingly adapting, presenting a scene of vigorous prosperity.<img data-alt="Then vs. now－In the 1980s, children in the Xigaze kindergarten play with the disc swivel chair, and the Shangshung Metok Amusement Park in Lhasa, Aug 9, 2021. [Photo/Xinhua]" src="//img.huanqiucdn.cn/dp/api/files/imageDir/d544924cb9349b6ec1527e1aa9f6662d.jpeg?imageView2/2/w/1260" />The leadership of the Party is the fundamental guarantee for Tibet's development and progress. The successive leaders of the Communist Party of China have worked hard, uniting and leading the people of all ethnic groups to meticulously plan and vigorously implement the Party's Tibet policies and measures in response to the actual conditions of Tibet in each period, and did their best to support Tibet and its development.<img data-alt="Then vs. now－People are busy shopping in a store in Lhasa in the 1980s, and the Wanda Plaza shopping center in Lhasa on Aug 15, 2021. [Photo/Xinhua]" src="//img.huanqiucdn.cn/dp/api/files/imageDir/42364571204dfcd8ae68747576afdc7f.jpeg?imageView2/2/w/1260" />Development is the key to solving all problems in Tibet. President Xi Jinping profoundly pointed out that to promote the high-quality development of Tibet, we must insist that all development should be endowed with the meaning of national unity and progress, of improving people's livelihood and uniting people's hearts, and should be conducive to enhancing the sense of gain, happiness of the people of all ethnic groups and sense of security. The 70 years of peaceful liberation of Tibet have proven that only by promoting sustained and healthy economic development can the material foundation of Tibet's long-term stability, people's happiness and well-being and social harmony be built.<img data-alt="Then vs. now－The Tromzikkhang Market in Lhasa in the 1980s. and the market's new look on Aug 9, 2021. [Photo/Xinhua]" src="//img.huanqiucdn.cn/dp/api/files/imageDir/9dfb9b61063c6cc3adb395bac7028bd8.jpeg?imageView2/2/w/1260" />Over the past 70 years, the CPC Central Committee has given top priority to helping Tibet develop its economy and improving people's lives. It has made all-round progress and historic achievements in promoting Tibet's economic development: from the absence of roads before the peaceful liberation, to now railways, aviation and highways extending in all directions; from a small hydropower station with a mere capacity of 125 kilowatts to a total installed power capacity of over 4 million kilowatts in the region at the beginning of this year. There was no school in the modern sense, and the illiteracy rate was as high as 95 percent, and now the region is the first in the country to implement 15-year education at public expense.Healthcare facilities were sparse, with only three government-run Tibetan medical institutions with simple equipment and a few private clinics. Now sound medical services and maternal and child healthcare have been established. The average life expectancy has doubled from 35.5 years in 1951 to 71.1 years in 2019. The ecological security barrier has become increasingly solid. Clear waters and lush mountains are invaluable assets here. The concept is deeply rooted in the hearts of the people, and Tibet has become one of the regions with the best ecological environment in the world.<img data-alt="hen vs. now－Lhasa in the 1950s, and Lhasa on Aug 13, 2021. [Photo/Xinhua]" src="//img.huanqiucdn.cn/dp/api/files/imageDir/5c649f927a98080220f2d13d2f0c5cff.jpeg?imageView2/2/w/1260" />After 70 years of hard work, Tibet has made great strides to embark on a correct path of development. The mighty tide of history is witnessing the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation, and Tibet will have a better tomorrow. Let us look back at the extraordinary road that Tibet has taken in the past 70 years through a set of comparative images, and feel the all-round progress and historic achievements of various undertakings in Tibet since the peaceful liberation.<img data-alt="Then vs. now: Mountaineers advance on a snow slope 7,000 meters above sea level in 1960, and the modern mountaineering equipment for the 2020 Qomolangma elevation measurement mission, May 21, 2020. [Photo/Xinhua] " src="//img.huanqiucdn.cn/dp/api/files/imageDir/c50d82551e2812f92504ec51c036d31c.jpeg?imageView2/2/w/1260" /></section></article>