24.7.2001

 

TIBET AUTONOMOUS REGION（西藏自治區）

 

Economic Indicators

	1999		2000
Economic Indicators	Value	Growth	Value	Growth
		(%, y-o-y)		(%, y-o-y)
Area (sq km)	1,228,400	--	1,228,400	--
Population (mn)	2.56	1.6	2.6 ^	2.3
Gross Domestic Product (RMB bn)	~ 10.6	~ 9.6	N/A	N/A
Per Capita GDP (RMB)	4,262	N/A	N/A	N/A
Disposable Income Per Capita
- urban (RMB)	6,908.7	N/A	7,426.3	7.5
- rural (RMB)	1,309.5	6.3	1,330.8	1.6
Fixed-assets Investment (RMB bn)	5.3	29.8	4.9	-7.5
Added Value Output
- primary industry (RMB bn)	3.4	N/A	--	--
- secondary industry (RMB bn)	2.4	N/A	--	--
- tertiary industry (RMB bn)	1.0	N/A	--	--
Retail Sales (RMB bn)	3.5	8.3	4.3	13.2
Inflation (Consumer Price Index, %)	0		-0.1
Exports (US$ bn)	0.08	166.7	0.1	37.5
- by FIEs (US$ bn)	--	--	0.004	--
Imports (US$ bn)	0.08	33.3	0.04	-50
- by FIEs (US$ bn)	0.01	0	0.002	-80
Foreign Direct Investment
- number of projects	--	--	--	--
- contracted amount (US$ bn)	--	--	--	--
- utilised amount (US$ bn)	--	--	--	--

Notes: ~ Approximate figures        

^ latest population census, 1999 figure was estimate base on previous survey

Sources: China Statistical Abstract, 2001,  CEIC database

 

General Background

 

Tibet is situated in the southwest of China, neighbouring Nepal and India.  Surrounded by the Himalayas（喜瑪拉亞山）, the Kunlun Mountains（崑崙山）and the Tanggula Range（唐古拉山）, the Tibet Autonomous Region forms the main part of Qinghai-Tibet plateau（青藏高原）.  With an average elevation of 4,000 metres, Tibet is known as the "Roof of the World".

 

The regional capital is Lhasa（拉薩）.  Tibet is the largest resident place in China for the Tibetan（藏族）which accounts for 96% of the region's population.  Other groups are Han（漢）, Hui（回）, Mongolian（蒙古）, Monba（門巴）, Lhoba（珞巴）, etc.

  

Tibet is rich in mineral resources such as chromium, borax, iron, lithium, gold, copper, gypsum, etc. Reserves of borax are the largest in China.  Also, the region is one of the largest forest zones in China and its timber reserve is among the highest in the country.

 

Besides, the region's main crops include highland barley, wheat, broad beans, peas and rapeseed.  Some Chinese medicinal herbs such as fritillary bulb and fungus are also famous.

 

Infrastructure

 

Railways － So far, this region is the only province that does not have railway. The construction of the Qingzang Railway（青藏鐵路）, specifically the section from Golmud to Lhasa, is in progress. This railway is one of the symbolic projects of the Great Western Development Strategy. The government is expecting to invest RMB13.7 billion on this railway’s construction alone.

 

Highways － Transport in Tibet mainly relies on highways and Lhasa is the pivot in the region. So far, Tibet has 22,000 kilometres of roads and highways.  It connects Sichuan, Qinghai, Xinjiang and Yunan through ChuanTibet line（川藏線）, QingTibet line（青藏線）, XinTibet line（新藏線）and DianTibet line（滇藏線）as well as the China-Nepal highway （中尼公路）which links up Lhasa to Katmandu in Nepal.  Besides, a new highway that extends from Ping'an to Xining of Qinghai is under construction.  The highway is a portion of Lanzhou-Xining expressway with average altitude over 2,000 meters.

 

Air Transport － The Gonggar Airport（貢嘎機場）and Bangda Airport（邦達機場）provide more than 25 domestic and international air routes to Chengdu, Chongqing, Beijing, Xi'an, Qinghai, Katmandu in Nepal, etc.  A new air route to Shanghai has been in operation since April 2000 and it takes approximately 4 hours from Lhasa to Shanghai with a stopover in Xi'an.  

 

Telecommunications － In 2000, there were 4.7 telephones per 100 persons. In May 2001, the Lhasa – Ali (拉萨 -阿里) optic cable is constructed. Every region of Tibet is now accessible by phone. Mobile phones services are available in various Tibet cities such as Lhasa, Xigaze（日喀則）, Nyingchi（林芝）, Qamdo（昌都）, Naqu（那曲）, Ali（阿里）, etc.  In September 2000, there were about 57,000 mobile phone users in Tibet.  In 2000, the region generated revenue of Rmb35 million from mobile phone sector, up 93% over same period of 1999.  Besides, the region has started developing Internet service since March 1998. Internet is making a big impact on the province as well. Lhasa now has more than 100 internet cafes.

 

Electricity Supply － The Yangbajing（羊八井） Station － the largest geothermal power plant in the country － has an installed capacity of 25,000 kWh.  Because of its altitude, the region also has ample solar power resource. Currently there are over 20 small and medium size solar power plants in a number of counties. At present, projects underway include the Yamzhog Yumco Lake Hydro-Electric Power Station and the Chaglung（查龍） Power Station, which have total installed capacity of 112,500 kWh and 10,800 kWh respectively. The expansion of the Yangbajing Geothermal Power Station provides an additional capacity of 50,000 kWh.

 

Industries

 

In 2000, Tibet's industrial output reached Rmb1.8 (+10%) billion and its industries are mainly located at Lhasa, Nyingchi, Shannan and Xigaze.

 

Tibet has more than 500 industrial enterprises, which mainly engaged in foodstuffs, energy, timber processing, mineral, textiles and light industries.  The region has established its own brand including mineral water（西藏礦泉水）, Lhasa Beers, Chinese and Tibetan medicinal herbs, carpet, etc. 

 

Tourism

 

Tibet has abundant cultural and historical relics that can be explored to develop tourism.  Some key cultural relics are under state-level protection such as the Jokhang Temple（大昭寺）, the Potala Palace（布達拉宮）, Norbulingka Palace（羅布林卡）,  Ganden, Drepung and Sera monasteries（三大寺）, Octagons Streets (八角街), Guge Castle（古格城堡）, The Tombs of the Ancient Kings（藏王墓）and Samye Monastery（桑耶寺）.  Of which, the Potala Palace is listed in the World's Cultural Heritage by the UNESCO（聯合國科教文組織）. 

 

In 2000, over 150,000 tourists (+38.9%) visited the region and generated revenue of US$52 million, increased 44.4% over 1999. 

 

Consumer Market

 

In 2000, retail sales totaled US$4.3 billion. Lhasa is the largest consumer centre in Tibet, accounting for 54% of the total retail sales.  The second largest centre is Xigaze, accounting for about 15% of the total sales.  In end-1999, Lhasa Department Store（拉薩百貨大樓）, the largest shopping centre in Tibet, was opened.  The new shopping centre is around 12,000 sq.m. and sell approximately 20,000 kinds of commodities.  Other major shopping centers include: Lhasa Renyi Integrated Market （拉薩仁益綜合商場）, Saikang Business Center（塞康商业中心）.

 

Science and Technology

 

Tibet’s high altitude makes it a research center in certain areas. Recently, an international research laboratory on cosmic radiation opened at Yangbajing（羊八井）. Yangbajiang is also China’s research center on geothermal energy. The rediscovery of Tibetan traditional medicines also led to several medical breakthroughs.

 

Foreign Trade

 

Tibet's exports rose by 20% to US$100 million in 2000.  Major export products included agricultural and husbandry products, textiles, wool, Chinese medicinal herbs, carpet, etc.  Major export markets were Hong Kong, the US, South Africa and Brazil. 

 

Imports also dropped by 50% to US$40 million in 1999.  Major import goods included building materials, mechanical and electronic products, chemical products, etc.  Major import sources were Russia, Republic of Korea, Japan, Australia and Nepal.

 

In 1998, Tibet's exports to Hong Kong totalled US$16.7 million, accounting for 36% of the total.  On the other hand, imports from Hong Kong accounted for only 2% of Tibet's imports, amounting to US$1.3 million. 

 

In 1999, Tibet's border trade was US$13.9 million (+40.9%).  Major export goods were agricultural products, animal by-products, textiles, light industrial products, machinery and electrical products, building materials and medicine, etc. 

 

Foreign Investment

 

In 1998, the number of foreign-invested projects increased to 8 (+14%) while contracted foreign investment also increased by 47% to US$24.6 million.  Foreign investments mainly came from Hong Kong, Nepal, the UK, and the US.  Major investments were engaged in the sectors of electrical & machinery, service industry, environmental protection, transportation and food processing.

 

In coming years, the region plans to build 100 small towns along its major highways to accelerate the region's urbanization progress.  Also, it will further develop industries in agriculture, tourism, Tibetan medicines, telecommunications, mineral products and infrastructure.

 

To boost the development of the central and western regions in China, the State Council has granted further tax incentives to foreign-invested enterprises (FIEs) in China.  Under the existing policy, FIEs are entitled to a three-year tax reduction and exemption.  The new policy allows foreign-invested enterprises in the central and western regions to enjoy another three years of preferential tax rate when the current preferential term expires.  The tax rate can be further reduced to 10% if an enterprise is proved to export more than 70% of its annual output in terms of value.

 

Economic Indicators of Major Cities (1999)

	Population	GDP	Retail Sales
Cities	('000)	RMB (bn)	(Rmb mn)
Lhasa           拉薩	397.9   (+0.5%)	3.3 (+15.0%)	1842.7   (-3.0%)
Xigaze      日喀則	629.7   (+0.9%)	1.5 (-15.8%)	662.2   (+24.7%)
Qamdo        昌都	557      (+1.1%)	1.5 (+12.1%)	320.2     (-2.4%)
Naqu           那曲	356.5   (+1.9%)	0.9 (+28.8%)	460.6     (+48.4%)
Shannan       山南	316      (+0.6%)	0.7 (+16.1%)	254.7     (+15.6%)
Nyingchi      林芝	147.1   (+0.8%)	0.9 (+15.5%)	148.5     (+23.6%)

Note: Figures in  (   ) represent year-on-year growth                 Source: Tibet Statistical Yearbook,2000

 

Major Economic & Technological Development Zones (ETDZs)

 

Tibet has five development zones: middle, the eastern, the southern, the western, and the northern zones. 

 

l           Middle zone － covers Lhasa, Xigaze and Shannan, mainly develops high-yielding and high-quality agriculture, improve mining of energy resources and quicken infrastructure construction.

 

l           Eastern zone － covers Nyingchi and Qamdo to form the biggest forest area in Tibet, focus on the development of timber industry.

 

l           Southern zone － focus on development of tropical plantation industry.

 

l           Western zone － which has 13 border counties and bordering five countries, mainly engages in the developing of cross-border trade.

 

l           Northern zone － covers Naqu and Ali, the base of animal husbandry, petroleum and natural gas mining ground.