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China's future powerhouses

(China Daily)
Updated: 2010-03-22 10:02
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Tibet autonomous region

China's future powerhouses

The Tibet autonomous region is becoming another hotspot in China's regional economic development. The plateau region was traditionally dependent on farming and herding. Recently Tibet laid out a plan to explore its mineral resources, while pledging to stick to rational exploitation and minimizing the damage to the natural environment. The government announced plans to achieve "leapfrog development" in Tibet in January, including building the region into a "strategic reserve of natural resources" with the aim of reducing poverty among the Tibetan people. Tibet has more than 3,000 proven mineral reserves and it has China's biggest proven chromium and copper deposits. According to the plan, mineral resources will contribute at least 30 percent to the regional GDP over the next 10 years. Tourism will continue to play a significant role in supporting the economy.