The Golmud-Lhasa section of the Qinghai-Tibet Railway started
its trial runs on March 1 and is expected to commence full-scale
operations soon.
The railway extends 1,925 kilometers on the "roof of the world,"
linking Xining City in
Qinghai Province and Tibet's regional capital Lhasa. The
section from Xining to Golmud was opened to traffic in 1984 and
construction of the Golmud-Lhasa section began on June 29,
2001.
Deputies of
Tibet Autonomous Region attending the Fourth Session of the
10th National People's Congress, the country's legislature, from
March 5 to 14 in Beijing expressed their expectations for the
railway during their panel discussions.
"The completion of the railway is a big event for the Lhasa
government and people because we've been waiting in expectation for
many years," said Norbu Dondrup, the mayor of Lhasa, in an
exclusive interview with china.org.cn on the sidelines of the
ongoing NPC session.
With the pace of Tibet's opening up moving at an accelerated
pace, the region, previously a mystery to the outside world, is
beginning to share its beautiful landscapes, rich history and
unique culture with more and more people.
"Tibet's economy has grown rapidly over the last few decades,
but it is China's only region inaccessible by train. So, it still
has a lot of catching up to do with the other provinces,
municipalities and autonomous regions," the mayor said.
"The railway will bring rare development opportunities to Lhasa
and its people."
For one thing, living standards of the local people will be
greatly improved.
A frequently cited survey by China Tibetan Studies Center shows
that the purchasing power of 100 yuan (about US$12.4) in Lhasa is
equivalent to only 54 yuan (about US$6.7) in the coastal areas.
"The enormous transportation capacity of the railway will lower
distribution costs and introduce a more varied range of commodities
into Tibet."
This will raise the people's consumption levels and, more
important, their needs will be better served.
Further, more distribution channels for Tibet's distinctive
products will be created. Mayor Dondrup said that locally produced
beef, mutton, Tibetan medicine, cordyceps, qingke (highland barley)
wine, handicrafts and mineral water can be introduced to domestic
markets, and even exported.
Last year, Lhasa received 1.2 million tourists, the majority of
whom traveled by air. "If the railway is put into operation, a
sightseeing train will be included to run on its tracks, and there
will be at least 1 million more tourists each year," Mayor Dondrup
noted.
"More tourism can further stimulate local consumption and
investment."
Mayor Dondrup added that the railway would also help to
strengthen ties between Lhasa and other cities in China, fostering
enhanced bilateral exchanges in the science and culture fields.
Tibet is therefore preparing itself for these major development
changes.
"We are now mulling Lhasa's 11th Five-Year Guidelines
(2006-2010) for economic and social development in accordance with
the railway layout and local conditions."
Local government plans to double gross domestic product (GDP),
fiscal revenue and the average incomes of farmers and herdsmen, and
to substantially improve the harmony between economy and society,
the cultural quality of local residents and social undertakings by
the end of 2010.
"We are constructing two railway stations, a freight and a
passenger station, to transport people and goods from Lhasa to
other parts of Tibet," Mayor Dondrup said.
Lhasa is also stepping up the construction of basic
infrastructure around the railway stations, including power, water
supply facilities and roads. Dondrup said that there are also plans
to build three to four five-star hotels.
The State-level Lhasa Economic and Technological Development
Zone is now inviting more investment, and aims to transform Lhasa
into the bridge that links China and South Asia.
Mayor Dondrup acknowledged that all this development will have
an impact on Tibet's fragile natural environment.
"Appropriate restriction measures are necessary," the mayor
stressed. "If economic development negatively affects the
environment, we will give priority to environment protection."
Backgrounder: Qinghai-Tibet Railway
timeline:
1984????????????????Xining-Golmud
section begins operation
Jun 29, 2001???Construction of the
Golmud-Lhasa section begins
Oct 15, 2005???Track laying for
remainder of railway completed
Jul 1,
2006??????Entire line
scheduled to start trial operations
Jul1,
2007???????Entire line
scheduled to be officially fully operational
(China.org.cn by staff reporter Tang Fuchun, March 11, 2005)
