shigatse today

After the Peaceful Liberation of Tibet in 1951, the development of modern science and technology began. In 1953, the Xigaze Experimental Farm and General Veterinary Station were established. In 1979, Xigaze District Science Commission was set up, and, with it, a group of organizations, associations and societies emerged to spread science and technology. Now, Xigaze has one science research institute, 49 technology centers, 18 associations and societies and 4,409 technological staff workers in various fields, and 92 percent of them are Tibetans. Of all the technical workers, 23 people have high-grade professional titles, 702 have mid-grade professional titles, four people enjoy the government's special subsidy and one expert is at the level of the autonomous region. Since 1979, 124 scientific research projects have won prizes for scientific and technological progress; 15 have been awarded prizes for science and technology at the regional and ministry level; and two have been awarded prizes at the state level. In the 40 or so years since the establishment of Xigaze Agricultural Science Institute, the institute has produced 96 excellent breeds of crops and created agricultural records in the country, such as 801.98 kilograms of barley per mu, 985 kilograms of spring wheat per mu, 10,000 kilograms of cabbage per mu, and 871.05 kilograms of winter wheat per mu. The eight technical measures conceived by experts in agricultural science have been widely applied to agricultural production, which has greatly promoted the steady development of agriculture in Xigaze.

After the Third Session on Tibetan Work sponsored by the Central Government in 1994, Xigaze, like other parts in Tibet Autonomous Region, had hastened its social and economic development. The state showed great support by increasing financial allocation from 270 million yuan in 1995 to over 430 million yuan in 1996. The year 1995 was the 30th anniversary of the establishment of Tibet Autonomous Region. To celebrate the event, the state had invested in Xigaze more than 190 million yuan for 11 projects, and another 900 million yuan was allocated to build Manlha Water Works. By the end of 1996, 54 projects had been carried out with an overall investment of nearly 400 million yuan. This, together with other subsidies and special funds, have elevated Xigaze's social and economic development to a new level.

The Third Session on Tibetan Work designated Shanghai's and Shandong Province's assistance to Xigaze in its development. Shanghai and Shandong actively responded to the call of the Central Government and made great and selfless efforts in the aspects of human, financial and material resources. Shanghai and Shandong have dispatched groups of capable cadres and technical personnel to Xigaze, putting emphasis on its long-term development. By the end of 1996, about 120 million yuan had been allocated to Xigaze, and 96 administrative cadres and 144 technical personnel were sent to work there. Within two years, they trained 209 local people. The Shandong Plaza, built with the support from Shandong Province, is the largest modern three-star hotel in Xigaze. The hotel boasts a floor space of 10,800 square meters, and its ten-storey main building is 38.3 meters high, the highest in Xigaze. The Shanghai Square, built with support from Shanghai and located on the main street in Xigaze, is a symbol of the union of Tibetan and Han people and of the friendship between Shanghai and Tibet. The whole design is like a ship sailing eastward. The square comprises a shopping center, an entertainment center and a hotel. One can receive almost any service there. It covers 10,800 square meters with an overall floor space of 9,767 square meters. The operation of the above two large-scale constructions in 1998 has injected a modern flavor into the ancient city of Xigaze.

Seizing every opportunity, people in Xigaze have largely quickened their reform and opening up to the outside world. In 1995, Xigaze Administrative Office designated Regulations on the Policies to Attract Foreign Business and Investment and released preferential policies in five areas of taxation, finance, import and export, award system and service industry. This effort has attracted more and more investors in and out of Xigaze and attention from the world. The United Nations Planning and Development Office and US New Generation Fund have invested in setting up natural preserves to protect the environment and to promote the long-term development of Xigaze. The US Progressive Organization, US Organization for the Care of the World, US Alpine Research Institute, Swiss Red Cross Association, United Nations Children's Fund and non-official organizations and funds from Japan, Belgium and Australia have made efforts in environment protection, poverty relief, education, health, women's issues and the comprehensive development of agriculture in Xigaze. Many projects have already witnessed good results.