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China to raise Tibet investment | China to raise Tibet investment |
(20 minutes later) | |
China says it is to spend $13bn on boosting infrastructure in the remote Himalayan region of Tibet. | China says it is to spend $13bn on boosting infrastructure in the remote Himalayan region of Tibet. |
The world's highest airport and an extension to a controversial railway are among 180 projects to be funded in the next three years, an official said. | |
The official said the aim was to improve the lives of Tibetans, particularly farmers and herdsmen. | |
But critics fear Chinese development is threatening both the delicate Himalayan environment and Tibetan culture. | But critics fear Chinese development is threatening both the delicate Himalayan environment and Tibetan culture. |
Many opposed the opening of the railway line in July last year for fear it would make it easier to populate the region with Chinese migrants. | Many opposed the opening of the railway line in July last year for fear it would make it easier to populate the region with Chinese migrants. |
'Fruits of reform' | 'Fruits of reform' |
China's Xinhua news agency said 100bn yuan ($13bn) would be spent on 180 projects in Tibet by 2010. | China's Xinhua news agency said 100bn yuan ($13bn) would be spent on 180 projects in Tibet by 2010. |
The projects include a fourth airport for the region, in the western Ngari prefecture. At 4,300m (14,300 ft) above sea level, it would be the world's highest. | The projects include a fourth airport for the region, in the western Ngari prefecture. At 4,300m (14,300 ft) above sea level, it would be the world's highest. |
The money will also be spent on extending the railway line from the regional capital Lhasa to the second-city, Xigaze. Plans for the extension were first announced in August 2006. | |
Improvements to drinking water and electricity as well as education and environmental conservation are also planned. | Improvements to drinking water and electricity as well as education and environmental conservation are also planned. |
"Most of these projects are designed to improve the living conditions of the people," the Vice-Chairman of the regional government, Hao Peng, said, "especially farmers and herdsmen, and to help them share the fruits of reform and development in Tibet." | "Most of these projects are designed to improve the living conditions of the people," the Vice-Chairman of the regional government, Hao Peng, said, "especially farmers and herdsmen, and to help them share the fruits of reform and development in Tibet." |
Beijing has already pumped many tens of billions of dollars into Tibet, saying it will bring greater prosperity for its people. | Beijing has already pumped many tens of billions of dollars into Tibet, saying it will bring greater prosperity for its people. |
But critics say China is simply wanting to consolidate its hold on the isolated region, and in the process destroying a unique culture and a fragile ecosystem. | But critics say China is simply wanting to consolidate its hold on the isolated region, and in the process destroying a unique culture and a fragile ecosystem. |
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