Journey toward prosperity

This year marks the 70th anniversary of the peaceful liberation of Tibet autonomous region.
今年是西藏自治区和平解放70周年。

Since 1951, the people of Tibet have broken free from the fetters of invading imperialism, and embarked on a bright road of unity, progress and development, noted Xinhua.
新华社指出，自1951年以来，西藏人民摆脱了帝国主义的侵略和羁绊，走上了团结、进步、发展的光明大道。

On May 21, the State Council Information Office issued a white paper titled Tibet Since 1951: Liberation, Development and Prosperity. It reviewed Tibet’s history and achievements, and presented a picture of the new socialist Tibet.
5月21日，国务院新闻办发表《西藏和平解放与繁荣发展》白皮书。白皮书回顾了历史进程、展示伟大成就，全面立体真实展现社会主义新西藏。

Socioeconomic progress
社会经济发展

In the new era, China’s Tibet is enjoying rapid and sustained growth thanks to social harmony and stability. Over the past 70 years, the government has introduced many favorable policies for the region, covering tax and finance, infrastructure and industrial development, among other fields. In 1951, Tibet’s regional GDP was about 129 million yuan. In 2020, its GDP exceeded 190 billion yuan. By the end of 2019, all registered poor residents and counties in Tibet had shaken off poverty, eliminating absolute poverty in the region for the first time in history. Before the peaceful liberation, there were no highways in Tibet. But now, highways totaling 118,800 kilometers in length have been built in Tibet.
在新时代，社会和谐稳定，西藏持续快速发展。过去的70年里，政府为西藏制定了许多优惠政策，涉及财税金融、基础设施、产业发展等各个领域。1951年西藏地区生产总值仅为1.29亿元，2020年地区生产总值突破1900亿元。截至2019年底，全区建档立卡贫困人口已全部脱贫，贫困县区全部摘帽，历史性消除了绝对贫困问题。在和平解放前，西藏没有公路。但如今，西藏公路通车里程达到11.88万公里。

Livelihoods improved
人民生活水平提高

Since the peaceful liberation, well-rounded human development has been Tibet’s greatest historical achievement. Before 1951, more than 90 percent of Tibetan residents did not have private housing. In 2020, the per capita living space of farmers and herders reached 41.46 square meters, and that of urban residents reached 33.4 square meters. The average life expectancy has increased from 35.5 years in 1951 to 71.1 years in 2019. Education has also seen great improvements. In old Tibet, there was not a single proper school. The illiteracy rate exceeded 95 percent. From 1951 to 2020, the central government invested about 224 billion yuan in Tibet’s education. Students now benefit from 15 years of publicly funded education in the region.
自和平解放以来，人的全面发展是西藏最伟大的历史成就。1951年以前，西藏90%以上的人没有自己的住房。2020年西藏农牧民人均自有住房面积达41.46平方米，城镇居民人均自有住房面积达33.4平方米。人均寿命由1951年的35.5岁增加到2019年的71.1岁。全区教育也有了极大的改善。旧西藏没有一所现代意义上的学校，文盲率高达95%。1951年至2020年，中央政府累计投入西藏教育经费近2240亿元。如今，西藏的学生们都享受15年公费教育。

Environmental and cultural protection
环境和文化保护

Tibet has become one of the regions “with the best eco-environment in the world”, said the white paper. By the end of 2020, the region had invested a total of 81.4 billion yuan in improving the environment. The forest coverage reached 12.3 percent in 2020 and protected natural areas make up almost 40 percent of the region’s land area.
白皮书介绍，西藏已成为 “世界上生态环境最好" 的地区之一。截至2020年底，西藏累计投入生态环境领域的资金达814亿元。2020年，西藏森林覆盖率达12.3%，自然保护区占全区国土面积近40%。

Meanwhile, China attaches great importance to the protection and development of traditional Tibetan culture. For example, the Tibetan language is the first ethnic-minority language in China with an international standard, which means the language can be used in the research, development and promotion of Tibetan-language software. And the study and use of the Tibetan language is protected by law. Tibet has three items – Gesar, Tibetan opera and Lum medicinal bathing of Sowa Rigpa – included on the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage List. The region has 70 cultural relics sites under state protection.
同时，我国也非常重视西藏传统文化的保护和发展。比如，藏语言文字是第一个具有国际标准的中国少数民族语言文字，可用于藏文软件研发推广。藏语文的学习、使用受到法律保护。西藏有联合国人类非物质文化遗产代表作3项（格萨〈斯〉尔、藏戏、藏医药浴法）。全区有国家级文物保护单位70处。

以上文章内容选自《21世纪学生英文报高中版》，详情请见《21世纪学生英文报高中版》高二834期