Qi Zhala, Chairman of the Tibet Autonomous Region, stated on January 24 that during the "13th Five-Year Plan" period, infrastructure construction will be strengthened, project implementation will be well managed, and investments in various projects will be ensured to reach 200 billion yuan (RMB, same below) or more.
On January 24, the first session of the 11th People's Congress of the Tibet Autonomous Region opened in Lhasa. When delivering the government work report, Qi Zhala introduced that over the past five years, Tibet's infrastructure has been greatly improved. 99% of incorporated villages have access to roads; the total road mileage in the region increased from 65,000 kilometers to 90,000 kilometers, and high-grade highways increased from 37 kilometers to 660 kilometers; the Lhasa-Nyingchi high-grade highway has basically been completed and opened to traffic; domestic and international air routes increased from 37 to 79.
At the same time, postal outlets in Tibet's townships have achieved full coverage, and the comprehensive transportation system has been continuously improved. Total installed power capacity reached 3.09 million kilowatts, the main power grid covers 62 counties (districts), solving and improving the electricity problem for 1.99 million people in Tibet. Key water conservancy projects such as the Xianghe Water Control Project have successively started construction, adding and improving effective irrigation area of 1.845 million mu. Mobile signals cover all incorporated villages, with broadband penetration rate at 85%.
Currently, Tibet's economic development level is relatively backward, infrastructure is relatively weak, and it is the country's largest contiguous poverty-stricken area. At present, investment and project-driven growth remain the main force for promoting steady and rapid economic development and improving economic development quality in Tibet.
Qi Zhala pointed out that Tibet must implement the idea of infrastructure connectivity, take projects as the抓手 (grip), and consolidate the foundation for economic and social development. Accelerate the improvement and upgrading of the road network, achieve high-grade access roads to and from Tibet, and ensure smooth border defense roads and rural roads; accelerate the implementation of the electrification renovation of the Qinghai-Tibet Railway and the construction of the Sichuan-Tibet Railway, and advance preliminary work for the Yunnan-Tibet Railway, China-Nepal Railway, and Xinjiang-Tibet Railway; accelerate the improvement of airport layout, develop regional and general aviation; accelerate the extension of existing road networks, power grids, communication networks, and logistics channels to overseas.
Therefore, Qi Zhala stated that Tibet should intensify efforts to implement projects in the "13th Five-Year Plan" and ensure that investments in various projects reach over 200 billion yuan. Especially in transportation, strive to complete investments of over 75 billion yuan. At the same time, Tibet will fully promote the construction of the Lhasa-Nyingchi Railway and accelerate preliminary work for the Shigatse-Gyirong Port and Linchang Railways.