Nyingchi benefits from Guangdong's aid efforts

An aid-Xizang cadre (left) from the Foshan city of Guangdong province instructs a village official on how to rear fish together with rice plantations in Metog county, Xizang autonomous region. [Photo by Lin Ge/For chinadaily.com.cn]

Over the past three decades, Guangdong province has been aiding the Nyingchi city of the Xizang autonomous region by driving the four key aspects of stability, development, ecology and a border fortification around the city, serving as the driving force behind its long-term stability and high-quality development.

Between the period of 1994 and 2024, Guangdong dispatched ten groups of nearly 1,000 professionals, such as aids, to Nyingchi, as well as investing over 13.4 billion yuan ($1.85 billion) in more than 900 projects, as reported by Xizang Daily.

These endeavors have spanned various domains, including the development of unique industries, enhancement of livelihoods, infrastructure construction, talent development, and fostering cultural exchanges.

The results of these efforts are evident in the remarkable growth of Nyingchi's economy, with the city's GDP soaring from 290 million yuan in 1995 to more than 23 billion yuan in 2023.

Two medics dispatched from the Foshan city of Guangdong province provided free health checks for the public in Metog county of the Xizang autonomous region. [Photo provided for chinadaily.com.cn]

Guangdong's aid initiatives have played a pivotal role in establishing national industrial clusters, such as the yak industry and modern agricultural parks for Tibetan pigs, edible fungi, and tea production.

Notably, the tea industry in the city's Metog county stands out as a success story, with the introduction of tea varieties from Guangdong leading to significant growth in tea cultivation and increased incomes for local farmers.

Zhong Dong, a tea farmer in Metog county, expressed his delight, stating, "With the guidance of aid-Xizang experts, my family's tea garden has flourished, enabling us to earn over 40,000 yuan annually from tea picking, a substantial portion of our total income. I am confident in the future of tea cultivation."

Furthermore, Guangdong's aid efforts have extended to the tourism sector, a key pillar of Nyingchi's economy. The establishment and enhancement of scenic spots in various regions, coupled with the promotion of tourism cooperation alliances, have significantly boosted the city's tourism revenue, reaching a record high of 11.6 billion yuan in 2023.

Overall, Guangdong's commitment to directing over 80 percent of aid funds and projects to grassroots initiatives underscores its dedication to rural revitalization and improving the lives of farmers and herdsmen. In education, Guangdong has supported the construction of schools and dispatched more than 2,400 teaching personnel, further strengthening the educational landscape in Nyingchi.

As Guangdong's aid to Xizang continues to make a tangible impact on the region's development, it stands as a testament to the enduring partnership and collaborative efforts between provinces, fostering growth, empowerment, and prosperity in the picturesque landscapes of Xizang.

Medics dispatched from the Foshan city of Guangdong province provide free health education for the public in Metog county of the Xizang autonomous region. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

A teacher dispatched from the Foshan city of Guangdong province has a class in Metog county of the Xizang autonomous region. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

A bridge built from the investment made by the aid-Xizang cadres from the Foshan city of Guangdong province, in Metog county of the Xizang autonomous region. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]