Tibet's new governor pledged to make social stability and national unity the priority of his administration after the regional parliament unanimously elected him to the post Friday.

Padma Choling, formerly vice-chairman of the regional government, was elected at the regional parliamentary session of southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region.

He replaces Qiangba Puncog as head of the regional government, the eighth person to take up the post since the Tibet Autonomous Region was founded in 1965.

"It's a great honor, as well as a heavy responsibility," he said at a press conference shortly after the election. "I have the determination and confidence to live up to everyone's expectations."

His six-minute speech to the press focused on the regional government's adherence to the Chinese Communist Party rule, as well as its role in bolstering economic growth, improving people's welfare, and maintaining social stability.

"Stability is of overwhelming importance," he said. "We will firmly oppose all attempts at secession, safeguard national unification and security, and maintain unity among different ethnic groups in Tibet."

Padma Choling, born in 1951, is a native of Dengqen in Qamdo Prefecture. Padma means "lotus" in Tibetan and Choling means "immense beneficence."

He served 17 years in the People's Liberation Army (PLA) from 1969 to 1986, before he became an official in Tibet's regional government.

He was elected vice-chairman of the regional government in 2003.

Earlier this month, he replaced Legqog as deputy secretary of Tibet's regional committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC).

"In contrast to his predecessor, the slender, bespectacled and soft-spoken Qiangba Puncog, Padma Choling is firm and strong-willed," a source close to the two officials said on condition of anonymity. "Many Tibetans admire Qiangba Puncog as a man of wisdom, and Padma Choling, a man of valor."

Tsering Norbu, a journalist with a local Tibetan newspaper, sees the new governor as "a man with a twofold personality".

"He looks stern, but if you get closer to him, you'll find he's an amiable person. He's straightforward and always gives explicit answers to questions."

Tsering Norbu recalled the two sleepless nights after the most destructive earthquake in recent decades hit Damxung, an outer county of the regional capital Lhasa, in October 2008.

"Padma Choling worked those two nights in a tent that served as the emergency rescue headquarters," he said. "He, too, didn't sleep and his eyes were red and swollen. He told me the residents were scared and in desperate need of information, and pressed us to produce good stories."

Former governor Qiangba Puncog was elected chairman of the Standing Committee of the Regional People's Congress, replacing former parliament leader Legqog who, at 66, has reached retirement age.

Qiangba Puncog, born in 1947, served as Tibet's governor for nearly seven years.

A mechanics major from Chongqing University in the southwestern Chongqing Municipality, Qiangba Puncog was among the first Tibetans to receive a college education.

Larger role for Tibetans

By the end of last year, Tibetans and people from other ethnic groups made up 70.42 percent of all officials serving in the regional government.

In addition to the regional government chairman and parliament leader, Tibetans have other top jobs, including chairman of the regional committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) and president of the regional high court.

At city and county levels, officials of Tibetan or other ethnic groups account for 86.4 percent, according to figures provided by the regional government.

Meanwhile, Tibetans make up more than 70 percent of all the deputies to the regional parliament and members of the political advisory body.

Most of them are from local peasants and herders' families but have obtained a global vision.

Dorje Tsedrup, mayor of the regional capital Lhasa and a native of Ngari Prefecture, has dedicated himself to improving the city's environment.

"We have built 26 ecological preservation zones and 46 downtown parks in Lhasa," he said. "In a few years, we hope to build Lhasa into one of the most beautiful and inhabitable cities in the world," he said.

Last year, China's central government announced a plan to train 600 more senior professionals among Tibet's ethnic groups in five years. They will specialize in medicine, science and technology, economics, culture, tourism and environment protection.

Faster growth, better welfare

The annual session of the regional parliament, set to conclude Friday afternoon, has focused on faster economic development in Tibet as well as better welfare for its people.

In his report to the parliament session, former governor Qiangba Puncog estimated Tibet's GDP grew by 12 percent to 43.7 billion yuan (6.4 billion U.S. dollars) last year.

The net per capita income of Tibetan peasants and herders, he said, rose13 percent to 3,589 yuan last year.

He said Tibet would again target 12-percent GDP growth this year, and increase spending on sectors involving people's livelihoods. The net per capita income of farmers and herders is expected to top 4,000 yuan.

On Thursday, an official with the regional treasury announced a 2.3 billion yuan fund to improve the quality of people's lives this year. The amount was 38.6 percent higher than last year.

The money would be spent to create jobs, increase pensions, ensure adequate medical services, build affordable homes for the poor and provide food and shelter for the homeless children and beggars, the official said.