Hu Jintao asks Tibet govt to focus on stability, economic development

Chinese president Hu Jintao has asked the government of land-locked Tibet to concentrate on the twin task of maintaining stability and fast track economic development in the Himalayan region, where violent protests against communist rule have triggered a huge clampdown.

Joining a panel discussion with deputies to the National People's Congress (NPC) from Tibet here yesterday, Hu promised continued steps for the well-being of the ethnic minorities and asked Tibet government to hit fast track development to shed its backwardness.

Hu, also the general secretary of the ruling Communist Party of China, said the fifth meeting on the work of Tibet held in Beijing earlier this year had pointed a way for the remote region's development, and called for resolute efforts to implement the policies made at the meeting. 

Hu said development and stability in Tibet are two top tasks that demand unremitting efforts.    

The region should stick to a development road with Chinese  characteristics and suited to Tibet's regional conditions, and make resolute efforts to achieve "leapfrog development and lasting stability," official Xinhua news agency quoted Hu as saying.

In March 2008, riots against alleged government repression erupted in Tibet's capital Lhasa which claimed scores of lives. 

Recent reports said Chinese government had spent about USD 46 billion in the past decade to improve infrastructure facilities in the restive province and reportedly plans to spend another USD 60 billion in the next five years.

But Hu's emphasis to develop Tibet with Chinese characteristics instead of Tibetan characteristics has drawn a flack as the new projects brought large number of Han Chinese into the province sparking off concerns among local Tibetans that their ancient culture may get marginalised.

Hu said the fifth meeting had pointed a way for the region's development, and called for resolute efforts to implement the policies made at the meeting. 

In his remarks Hu said development and stability in Tibet are two top tasks that demand unremitting efforts. 

Economic and social development should be coordinated with the improvement of people's livelihoods, Hu said. 

  He also urged the region to promote the building of an energy-saving and environment-friendly society, by balancing utilisation of natural resources and environmental protection. 

Hu called for vigorous efforts to strengthen the autonomous region's capability of self-development while trying to seek a balance between assistance from across the country and its own endeavours. He asked officials and people of all ethnic groups in Tibet to contribute their wisdom and strength to the region's development and stability. 

The Communist Party and the government would continue with solid efforts to try their best to do what is good to ethnic minorities in Tibet and further improve farmers and herders' working conditions and living standards, Hu said.