Reception to Celebrate Tibetan New Year (5)

（China.org.cn）  16:10, February 06, 2013  

A reception was held to celebrate Tibetan New Year, also known as Losar, in Beijing on January 5. The gathering was attended by over 300 officials, experts, monks, and Tibetans who work or study in the capital.

Zhao Zhengxiu, vice chairman of the Standing Committee of the Tibet People's Congress, extended New Year greetings to Tibetans, and people from all walks of life who support Tibet’s development.

He cited latest statistics to show Tibet's rapid economic growth. "Tibet's GDP has reached 70.1 billion yuan (US$11.25 billion), with 12 percent year-on-year growth; per capita disposable income of farmers and herdsmen, urban residents has increased by 15.1 and 11.5 percent respectively," he said.

Moreover, Tibet offers a compulsory, comprehensive 15-year education system which includes preschool, primary, middle and high school.

In addition, living conditions in the region have improved. 40 percent of urban houses were equipped with central heating systems by the end of 2012. It is expected that the system will cover all the urban areas of the region by 2013, which will mark a historical breakthrough in Tibet.

The Tibetan New Year, Water Snake Losar falls on February 11 this year.