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Exhibition: "Tibet, Past and Present"

Exhibition visitors impressed by Tibet´s changes

Many visitors, including some Tibetans living in the capital, say they´re impressed by the changes in the autonomous region over the past 50 years.

People´s Livelihood Improving

In recent years, with the development of the economy, per capita income, consumption levels, housing conditions, population quality, medical conditions and social security level of the Tibet Autonomous Region have shown impressive improvement.

Housing
Past: According to old Tibetan records of 1950, 90% of Tibet´s 1 million people were homeless. Of the 20,000 in Lhasa at the time,over 1,000 families lived as beggars.

Today: In 2006, the Tibetan regional government launched a program to build homes for 220,000 local farming and herding households by 2010. Over 570,000 people have since moved into new residences totalling 1.3 billion yuan.

Other Aspects

Education
Past: There was no public education in old Tibet.Less than 2% of school-aged children had access to school education, and the illiteracy rate among work-aged people past 95%.

Today:Over the past 5 years, government has spent 8.22 billion yuan in Tibet´s education.The 9-year compulsory education has covered 90.2% of children in 73 counties. The illiteracy rate among work-aged people dropped to 4.76%.

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Economic Development

The Tibet economy has been growing at an annual rate of 12 percent or more over the past seven years. In 2007, the region´s gross domestic product (GDP) was 34.2 billion yuan (about4.88 billion U.S. dollars), about 12,000 yuan per capita - double the 2002 figure. The per capita net income of farmers and herdsmen posted double-digit growth for the fifth consecutive year and reached 2,788 yuan in 2007.

Economic Growth
Past: More than 80% of wealth was possessed by the manorial lords and less than 20% belonged to the serfs, 95% of the population. The masses of serfs lived in extreme poverty.

Today: Economy annual growth rate is at 12%; GDP reached 34.2 bln yuan, about 12,000 yuan per capita; per capita net income posted double-digit growth and reached 2,788 yuan in 2007.

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Industry & Railway
Past: Tibet had no industry except for a small armaments factory and a small mint set up by the 13th Dalai Lama. Even No roads to accommodate vehicles.

Today: Tibet boasts dozens of industries, including mining, green food and beverage, Tibetan medicine and handicrafts. The Qinghai-Tibet railway and several highways are the highlights of the infrastructure construction.

Tibet's economy in foreigner's eyes

"I very much support what the Chinese gov´t has done to boost the economic and social progress in Tibet. The Chinese gov´t has built highways, airports and set up schools and hospitals in Tibet. These are all signs of economic dev´t."

"The Qinghai-Tibet railway is injecting new impetus to Tibet´s economic advancement. The Dalai Lama´s opposition to the building of the railway shows his indifference to the well-being of Tibetan people."

Religion

The central government has allocated more than 700 million yuan since 1980 to maintain 1,400 monasteries and cultural relics. Tibet has more than 1,700 religious sites for Tibetan Buddhism that accommodate 46,000 monks and nuns. Also included are four mosques for 3,000 Muslims, as well as a Catholic church for 700 believers.

The central gove´t has allocated more than 700 mln yuan since 1980 to maintain 1,400 monasteries and cultural relics. Tibet has more than 1,700 religious sites for Tibetan Buddhism that accommodate 46,000 monks and nuns.

Old Tibetan law stipulated that Buddhism was the only legal religion, and other religions were banned as heresy. Now freedom of religion was a fundamental right of Chinese citizens, which was under the protection of the constitution.

Better life for monks

Better life for monks

"Every month I receive some money from the government´s minimum living standard security system. I can afford to eat better food and buy better clothes."

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