The GDP of Tibet Autonomous Region is expected to hit 20 billion yuan, or about US$2.3 billion this year, a 12 percent increase over last year.

This means the economy of Tibet has kept increasing by over 12 percent annually over the past four consecutive years.

With the support of the central government, fixed asset investment in the Tibet Autonomous Region has increased by 20 percent compared to last year.

The regional government has also invested more than 3 billion yuan, or US$360 million on improving the living standards of farmers and helping with harvests.

A series of important projects including the Qinghai-Tibet Railway have also been carried out.

(CRI December 24, 2004)