From March 27 to April 1, the State Council Information Office organized over 20 journalists from 15 overseas media outlets to conduct interviews in the cities of Lhasa and Nyingchi in southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region. Focused on topics such as local economic and social development, protection of ethnic traditional culture, livelihood security, freedom of religious belief, and ecological conservation, they embarked on four days in-depth reporting to share with the world their perspectives on Xizang.

Livelihood security: Happy moments in nursing centers and schools

Inside the elderly day-care center in Chengguan District of Lhasa, warmth and vitality permeated every corner. The overseas journalists observed that the walls of the main hall displayed a clear functional layout, with functional areas on all floors ranging from health and leisure zones to cultural and entertainment rooms. In the activity rooms, seniors were either following the rhythm of music to do exercise, enthusiastically playing "dice games", or reciting poetry with deep emotion. In the physiotherapy room, staff provided rehabilitation services to the elderly. A Russian journalist was captivated by the unique sound of the Tibetan yangqin (a traditional stringed instrument) and tried playing it himself. 80-year-old Tseji expressed profound gratitude, attributing her current happy life to the care and concern of the Party and the government. The overseas journalists generally agreed that the elderly are living a happy and healthy life, and the achievements in Xizang's livelihood development are evident.

At Bayi District Middle School in Nyingchi, multilingual teaching was conducted in an orderly manner, and the campus culture was rich and colorful. During breaks, students performed the unique Kongpo break exercise on the playground, displaying their youthful energy. In the sports hall, various club activities were in full swing. The overseas journalists learned that the school, founded in 1974, currently has 26 classes and over 1,200 students, most of whom come from rural and pastoral areas and are provided with boarding services. Seventh-grader Tsering Wangmo expressed that she is very happy in school. The journalists noted that the boarding service model provided equal opportunities for children from remote areas to enjoy quality education, serving as a vivid example of promoting educational equity.

Protection and inheritance: Continuity and innovation of traditional culture

As cultural landmarks of Xizang, the Potala Palace and Jokhang Temple attracted the attention of overseas journalists. During their visit, the scene of workers chanting folk songs and dancing in unison, and simultaneously ramming on floors echoing with rhythms of the melodies (this traditional process is called da a ga, using mixed material of pebbles, a variety of local earth and water to pave floors and roofs of Tibetan architecture), sparked great interest among the journalists, who eagerly captured the unique sight with their cameras. Kunga Tashi, deputy director of the Potala Palace Management Office, and Lhapa, director of the Jokhang Temple Management Committee, provided detailed answers on issues such as the conduct of religious festivals and the protection of religious freedom.

Mahdi from the Kurdish media network of Rudaw in Iraq stated, "This trip to Xizang has completely overturned my previous perceptions. Here, not only is development rapid and people's lives happy, but significant achievements have also been made in cultural inheritance and religious protection. The narratives spread by Western media about Xizang are vastly different from what I have witnessed with my own eyes. I plan to produce a documentary to tell the world about the real Xizang and let more people experience its charm firsthand."

Additionally, the overseas journalists strolled through Barkhor Street, engaging in in-depth conversations with local residents and merchants. In the evening, the magnificent performance of the epic drama "Princess Wencheng" left the journalists in awe of cultural inheritance and innovation in Xizang.

Engine of development: Vitality and potential of economic growth

During this trip, the overseas journalists visited several representative enterprises to explore the "secrets" of Xizang's economic development. Lhasa Lianhua Zhibao Company utilizes yak bone porcelain to create a series of exquisite ceramics, not only preserving traditional craftsmanship but also providing employment opportunities for youth in Xizang, helping them realize their value in life, which was highly praised by the overseas journalists.

At the Lhasa Snow Lotus Highland Cookware Factory, modern production lines operated efficiently, with well-planned functional areas and seamless coordination among staff. Learning that the factory's annual production capacity reaches one million units, meeting the local residents' needs, the journalists captured footage of the bustling production site. At the Qizheng Tibetan Medicine Factory, the journalists delved into the development history of Tibetan medicine culture and modern technological innovations, engaging in discussions with the enterprise leaders on issues such as the integration and development of ethnic medicine.

Furthermore, the delegation enjoyed the lush greenery of Nanshan Park in Lhasa, the beautiful peach blossoms in Gala Village of Bayi District in Nyingchi, and the unique charm of Lunang International Tourism Town. In Nanshan Park, a Japanese journalist captured heartwarming moments with local families. The enchanting peach blossoms in Gala Village left the journalists reluctant to leave. And Lunang International Tourism Town, which has achieved economic prosperity through tourism, received 755,000 visitors in 2024, generating considerable economic benefits. Through conversations with villagers, the overseas journalists marveled that Xizang has found a balance between economic development and ecological conservation, embarking on a path of high-quality development.

Reporter: Liu Qianru, Tenzin Lhamze

Translater: Luo Rongting, Zhi Xinghua

Review: Dong Xiuli, Pan Lu