BEIJING, Sept. 10 (Xinhuanet) -- Tibet has received 200 billion yuan (24.2 billion U.S. dollars) in financial subsidies from China's Central Government since the democratic reform was launched in 1959.
According to the Tibet Autonomous Regional Financial Department, at least 90 percent of Tibet's total fiscal expenditure comes from the transfer payment of the central authorities that earmarked 150 billion yuan to Tibet during the 2001-2008 period, with an average annual growth of 20.2 percent.
"Thanks to the central authorities' preferential policies and vigorous financial support, Tibet has been able to achieve leapfrog economic development and has maintained long-term social stability," said Ai Juntao, deputy director of the department.
In recent 16 years, Tibet has retained a sound momentum in economic development with the growth rate hitting double digit. In the first half of 2009, Tibet's output value rose to 17.77 billion yuan, up 10.3 percent year on year.
In support of developing the regional economy, China spent 34 billion yuan in boosting the expansion of all social undertakings in Tibet from 2001 to 2008.
"A long-term policy of free education has been pursued for Tibet's farmers and herdsmen's children. Take me for example. I used to go to primary school for free in Nagri's Choqen County," said Dampa Namgyai, headmaster of the primary school in Qulo Township, Tingri County, southwestern Tibet's Xiagze Prefecture.
In terms of medical care, residents in Tibet's agricultural and pastoral areas can enjoy an annual medical subsidy which rose to 140 yuan per person in 2008 from 15 yuan in 2000 after adjustments for seven times.
In 2006, Tibet took the lead in China in introducing the system of minimum living guarantee in rural areas to cover all the 230,000 farmers and herdsmen with an annual net per-capita income of less than 800 yuan.
In 2008, the annual minimum living allowance in Tibet was raised to 1,100 yuan per person; the monthly standard for urban residents increased to 310 yuan from 130 yuan.
Moreover, since 2001, China has allocated a special fund of one billion yuan to renovate 25 key cultural relics in Tibet, such as the Potala Palace, Norbulingka (permanent residence of the Dalai Lama), and Sakya Monastery.
