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E-mail China.org.cn, April 8, 2025
Speakers:
Mr. Gama Cedain, deputy secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Xizang Autonomous Regional Committee and chairman of the People's Government of the Xizang Autonomous Region
Mr. Wang Haizhou, a member of the Standing Committee of the CPC Xizang Autonomous Regional Committee and director general of the Publicity Department of the CPC Xizang Autonomous Regional Committee
Mr. Xu Zhitao, vice chairman of the People's Government of the Xizang Autonomous Region
Chairperson:
Ms. Shou Xiaoli, director general of the Press Bureau of the State Council Information Office (SCIO) and spokesperson of the SCIO
Date:
March 28, 2025
Shou Xiaoli:
Ladies and gentlemen, friends from the media, good afternoon. Welcome to this press conference held by the State Council Information Office (SCIO) in Lhasa, Xizang autonomous region. Today, we are joined by Mr. Gama Cedain, deputy secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Xizang Autonomous Regional Committee and chairman of the People's Government of the Xizang Autonomous Region; Mr. Wang Haizhou, a member of the Standing Committee of the CPC Xizang Autonomous Regional Committee and director general of the Publicity Department of the CPC Xizang Autonomous Regional Committee; and Mr. Xu Zhitao, vice chairman of the People's Government of the Xizang Autonomous Region. This year marks the 60th anniversary of the establishment of Xizang autonomous region. As we commemorate the emancipation of the 1 million serfs in the region today, the SCIO publishes this white paper "Human Rights in Xizang in the New Era." Through detailed statistics and objective facts, the white paper fully presents the sound development and all-round progress of human rights in Xizang since its peaceful liberation, especially in the new era, highlighting that living a life of contentment is the ultimate human right in Xizang.
Now, I will briefly introduce the main contents of the document. The white paper consists of a preface, main body and conclusion. The main body contains seven sections concerning the protection of specific rights.
First, whole-process people's democracy is extensive, genuine and effective. Xizang has fully implemented regional ethnic autonomy. Citizens' rights to vote and to stand for election, people's rights to be informed and to participate, as well as their rights to expression and oversight are protected in a strict, full and effective manner. The people's status as masters of the region has been better reflected, and is having a greater impact. The people of Xizang enjoy full, extensive, genuine, concrete and effective democratic rights in accordance with the law. Currently, Xizang has instituted 790 outreach offices for deputies to people's congresses, Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) organizations have been established in all 74 county-level administrative units in the region, and the 12345 government service hotline has been launched to respond to public concerns in a timely manner.
Second, economic and social rights are better protected. Fully and faithfully following the new development philosophy in all fields, Xizang has focused on improving people's lives and strengthening unity in social and economic development. The rights of people of all ethnic groups in Xizang to housing, education, work, health and social security are better guaranteed. Xizang was once a profoundly impoverished area that had the highest incidence and penetration rates of poverty, and the cost and difficulty of eliminating poverty was therefore the biggest. Under the strong leadership of the CPC Central Committee, Xizang followed the guidelines for targeted poverty alleviation and eradication. By the end of 2019, all 628,000 registered impoverished people in the region had been lifted out of poverty. In 2024, the per capita net income of those lifted out of poverty in Xizang increased by over 12.5%.
Third, the protection of cultural rights has seen further improvement. The CPC and the Chinese government attach great importance to protecting, passing down and developing the fine traditional cultures of all ethnic groups in Xizang. They have coordinated the efforts to generalize the use of standard spoken and written Chinese language as well as the study and use of the Tibetan language. They have also improved public cultural services and ensured that the cultural rights of all ethnic groups in Xizang are protected. For example, since 2012, the central government has invested nearly 5 billion yuan ($689.5 million) in developing public cultural services across the region. It is fair to say that cultural prosperity in the region has been raised to new heights.
Fourth, the freedom of religious belief is effectively safeguarded. Xizang protects citizens' freedom of religious belief in accordance with the law, ensuring that religions in China conform to China's realities and remain compatible with socialist society. The sound situation of religious amity and social harmony is obvious to all. In Xizang, multiple religions have coexisted with each other for generations, and different religious groups have lived in harmony. Over 1,700 religious activities are held annually, and every effort is made to satisfy the religious needs of believers.
Fifth, environmental rights are fully and effectively protected. Ecological environment cannot be replaced. Xizang has always prioritized eco-environmental conservation. The region is committed to maintaining harmony between humanity and nature in modernization. It prioritizes eco-environmental conservation and green development and strives to continuously improve eco-environmental governance and protect biodiversity on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. Today, Xizang has become one of the regions with the healthiest eco-environment in the world. In 2024, Lhasa ranked first among the 168 key cities in China in terms of air quality.
Sixth, the rights of specific groups are equally protected. In the new era, human rights are enjoyed equally by all in China. Xizang attaches great importance to safeguarding the rights of specific groups, including women, children, the elderly and people with disabilities. It has continued to improve its mechanisms for protecting rights, so that all groups share the opportunity to live a fulfilling life and realize their dreams. For example, in terms of promoting women's development, since the beginning of the new era, Xizang has seen the emergence of outstanding female representatives such as Yudron Lhamo, the first athlete from Xizang to qualify for the Winter Olympics; Tseten Yudron, who claimed two gold medals at the 2025 Asian Winter Games in Harbin; and Kelsang Pedron, the first female pilot of the Tibetan ethnic group in the People's Liberation Army. These were completely unimaginable in old Xizang.
Seventh, the legal protection of human rights has steadily improved. Xizang has deepened the rule of law, integrating respect for and protection of human rights into all aspects of legislation, law enforcement, the judiciary and observance of the law, while resolutely safeguarding social equality and justice. Meanwhile, publicity and education of the socialist system of law with Chinese characteristics, with the Constitution at its core, has been carried out in Xizang. Respecting, learning, abiding by and using the law has become common among people of all ethnic groups.
That's all for my introduction. Next, please welcome Mr. Gama Cedain for his introduction.
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