Tibetan Prefecture Escapes PovertyThe people in Ngari Prefecture, a remote and impoverished area in Tibet Autonomous Region, no longer live in poverty due to rapid economic growth in recent years.The per capita net income of farmers and herdsmen in Ngari rose to 1,242 yuan last year, above the region's average. Ngari covers 345,000 square kilometers in northern Tibet at an elevation of 4,500 meters, and is known as the "ridge of the roof of the world." It lags behind other areas in economic development because of underdeveloped transport infrastructure and geographical conditions. Since the central government launched a campaign to speed up development of western China, the prefecture has been able to exploit the rich boromagnesite resources. At present, Ngari turns out 30,000 tons of boromagnesite and 5,000 tons of tinkalite a year. Consequently, the industrial output value of Ngari increased by 57 percent last year. The prefecture has opened a number of tourist routes, making tourism a pillar industry in the region. Last year, it received 18,000 Chinese and foreign visitors. Taking advantage of vast pasture land, the prefecture exports 200 tons of cashmere and 1,300 tons of wool a year. By taking advantage of the abundant sunshine, the prefecture has built solar energy houses with a total floor space of 700,000 sq. m and popularized the use of solar energy stoves. |
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