226 Key Projects in Tibet Will Attract Central Govt's Investment

China's central government will finance 226 key projects involving a combined investment of more than 300 billion yuan (46.89 billion U.S. dollars) between 2011 and 2015 in order to foster Tibet's social and economic development.

"The projects, aimed at achieving rapid development in Tibet, will cost 330.5 billion yuan in total," said Hao Peng, executive vice chairman of Tibet's regional government, at an internal meeting held on Sept. 13.

The projects will cover infrastructure construction, environmental protection, housing, health care, social security, vocational training and other areas concerning the livelihood of the Tibetans, he said.

During the 2006-2010 period, the central government earmarked 137.8 billion yuan to build 188 key infrastructure projects in Tibet.

Last year, the central government pledged to foster "leapfrog development" and "lasting peace and stability" in Tibet.

By 2020, the per capita net income of rural Tibetans should be close to the national average level, according to a plan for Tibet's social and economic development announced early last year.

Source: Xinhua