Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, makes an inspection tour of Lhasa, capital city of Southwest China's Tibet autonomous region, on Thursday, July 22, 2021. (PHOTO / XINHUA)
LHASA – Chinese leader Xi Jinping has stressed fully implementing the guidelines of the Communist Party of China (CPC) for governing Tibet in a new era and writing a new chapter of lasting stability and high-quality development for the plateau region.
Xi, general secretary of the CPC Central Committee, Chinese president and chairman of the Central Military Commission, visited the Tibet Autonomous Region from Wednesday to Friday for the 70th anniversary of Tibet's peaceful liberation, the first time in the history of the Party and the country.
Xi on Thursday made an inspection tour of Lhasa, capital city of southwest China's Tibet autonomous region.
Xi visited the Drepung Monastery, Barkhor Street and the Potala Palace square in Lhasa to learn about the work on ethnic and religious affairs, the conservation of the ancient city, as well as the inheritance and protection of Tibetan culture. He also chatted with local residents.
Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, makes an inspection tour of Lhasa, capital city of Southwest China's Tibet autonomous region, on Thursday, July 22, 2021. (PHOTO / XINHUA)
Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, makes an inspection tour of Lhasa, capital city of Southwest China's Tibet autonomous region, on Thursday, July 22, 2021. (PHOTO / XINHUA)
Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, makes an inspection tour of Lhasa, capital city of Southwest China's Tibet autonomous region, on Thursday, July 22, 2021. (PHOTO / XINHUA)
Xi extended congratulations to the 70th anniversary of Tibet's peaceful liberation, visited officials and ordinary people of various ethnic groups and conveyed the CPC Central Committee's care to them.
Xi said over the past 70 years Tibet has made historic strides in the social system and realized full economic and social development, with people's living standards significantly improved.
"It has been proven that without the CPC, there would have been neither new China nor new Tibet," Xi said. "The CPC Central Committee's guidelines and policies concerning Tibet work are completely correct."
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Xi arrived at the Nyingchi Mainling Airport on Wednesday and was warmly welcomed by local people and officials of various ethnic groups.
Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, arrives at the Nyingchi Mainling Airport on July 21, 2021. (PHOTO / XINHUA)
Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, visits the city of Nyingchi in Southwest China's Tibet autonomous region on July 21, 2021. (PHOTO / XINHUA)
He then visited the Nyang River Bridge, to inspect the ecological preservation in the basin of the Yarlung Zangbo River and its tributary Nyang River.
On Wednesday afternoon, Xi visited a local city planning hall, a village and a park in Nyingchi, inspecting the locality's city development planning, rural vitalization and city park building efforts.
Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, visits the city of Nyingchi in Southwest China's Tibet autonomous region on July 21, 2021. (PHOTO / XINHUA)
On Thursday, Xi went to Nyingchi railway station, learning about the overall designing of the Sichuan-Tibet Railway and the operation of Lhasa-Nyingchi railway section, and then took a train to the regional capital Lhasa. He inspected the construction along the railway during the ride.
READ MORE: Xi urges efforts to build Sichuan-Tibet railway
Officially put into operation last month, the Lhasa-Nyingchi railway is Tibet's first electrified railway.