The Tibet Autonomous Region in China's southwest border area, covering 1.2 million square kilometers on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, reputed as the "Roof of the World," occupies a strategic position in national security and plateau ecological conservation. Across its 4,000-kilometer borderline are India, Nepal, Bhutan, Myanmar and Kashmir. Tibet has a population of 2.8 million people, 95 percent of whom are Tibetan, the rest being Han, Hui, Moniba, Lhoba, Naxi and other ethnic groups. The region governs seven prefecture-level cities, namely Lhasa, Xigaze, Lhoka, Nyingchi, Qamdo, Nagqu and Ngari, and 73 towns at country level. Its regional capital is Lhasa.
Tibet has been an inseparable part of China since ancient times. It saw a peaceful liberation in 1951, experienced a democratic reform in 1959, and became an autonomous region in 1965. Over the past more than 40 years, all the ethnic groups in Tibet have upheld the banner of unity, adhered to the leadership of the Communist Party of China, stuck to the socialist system, adhered to the system of regional ethnic autonomy, safeguarded national unity, and fought against any separatist attempt. They have made a huge progress in building a new, united, harmonious, and democratic Tibet. The remarkable achievements they have made are seen in all aspects: political construction, economic development, cultural development, social progress, and ecological conservation. In today's Tibet, economy is booming, society stable, ethnic groups united, cultural activities prosperous, eco-environment beautiful, and people's lives much improved than before.
