On the afternoon of 14 June, Chinese and international experts and scholars discussed on sub-topics. Photo shows the discussion site. [Photo/China Tibet News]

On the morning of June 14, the 2019 · Forum on the Development of Tibet China, hosted by the State Council Information Office and the people's government of Tibet Autonomous Region,was opened in Lhasa. Chinese President Xi Jinping sent a congratulatory letter to the opening of the forum.

Nearly 160 Chinese and foreign guests from 37 countries and regions attended the forum. The theme of the forumwas "Belt and Road Initiative and Tibet's Opening-up and Development", and the sub-topics were "Tibet in the Silk Road Civilization", "the role of Tibet in the construction of Belt and Road Initiative", and "Tibet's opening-up and the inheritance and development of Tibetan culture". On the afternoon of June 14, Chinese and international experts and scholars discussed three sub-topics.

"Last time, two years ago, I learned a tremendous amount about how such poverty-alleviation measures as urbanization, vocational training and climate-change mitigation were transforming the Tibet Autonomous Region.This year, I learned so much about how Tibet's increasing prosperity is mutually reinforcing China's exchanges with other countries and regions, and how it is becoming a major node of the Belt and Road Initiative. This year is a particularly special forum, since it offers the chance to engage in such extensive dialogues about Tibet's vital role in the Belt and Road Initiative.”Said Erik Robert Nilsson, senior journalist of China Daily.

On the afternoon of 14 June, Chinese and international experts and scholars discussed on sub-topics. Photo shows a guest giving a speech. [Photo/China Tibet News]

"The reform policies of the 1980s eventually accelerated Tibet's economic modernization and overall development. In the meantime, thanks to generous state support, Tibetan entrepreneurship began to develop. The railway connection Xining to Lhasa (and further to Shigatse) brought along a tremendous growth of tourism." Said Albert Ettinger, a well-known Tibetologist from Luxembourg.

"Tibet is an important gateway for the exchanges between China and south Asian countries. Giving full play to these advantages of Tibet and actively yet prudently advancing the construction of important passageways open to South Asia will not only expand the space for Tibet's development and promote Tibet's better integration into the world, but also enable south Asian countries to catch the free ride of China's development." Said Shen Bing, deputy director of the Institute of Land Development and Regional Economy, Natonal Development and Reform Commission.

On the afternoon of 14 June, Chinese and international experts and scholars discussed on sub-topics. Photo shows a guest thinking about the topic. [Photo/China Tibet News]

"Tibetan developmental trajectory reflects not only possibilities of a multifaceted global forms of progress but it is also evidence to the ideals of common prosperity for humankind. Beyond issues of 'Human Development Index', Tibetan ecological-technological relation stands to serve as a model for attaining 'Happiness Development Index'." Said Paul Tembe, senior researcher of Thabo Mbeki African Leadership Institute (TMALI).

Luo Jie, director general of the Department of Ecology and Environment of Tibet Autonomous Region, said, "as environmental protection person, we have great responsibility and glorious mission. Next, we will keep in mind the great trust of General Secretary Xi Jinping, protect the mountains, rivers, grass and trees of Tibet, fight against pollution, and build an important national ecological security barrier."

"First of all I would like to congratulate you for organizing 2019 · Forum on the Development of Tibet, China. A forum that will tell the whole world the unique culture, civilization, socio economic condition and extraordinary development of the roof of the world, that is Xizang and potentials for future cooperation, collaborations and exchanges." Said Rajiv Kumar Jha, chairman of Transhimalayan Friendship Society Nepal.

On the afternoon of 14 June, Chinese and international experts and scholars discussed on sub-topics. Photo shows a guest giving a speech. [Photo/China Tibet News]

The Belt and Road Initiative has far-reaching significance and has aroused great concern and strong resonance at home and in relevant countries, regions and even the whole world. As an important node of the Belt and Road Initiative, Tibet has received close attention from guests at home and abroad.

Yang Minghong, professor of Sichuan University, said, "through such a forum, Tibet will have more opportunities and conditions for development in the future Belt and Road construction. We hope that Tibet's future economic and social development will be more faster, stable and healthy."

From June 10 to 13, before the opening of the forum, foreign experts and scholars conducted research visits in Nyingchi and Lhasa. They came to villages, towns, schools, and makerspaces, and contacted with local farmers and herdsmen, students, and other groups, knowing the situation in many respects, feeling great changes taken place since the democratic reform in Tibet over the past 60 years as well the great achievements of economic and social development, and deepening the understanding of Tibet. (Reporter: Liu Jinpeng, Liu Fang, Zhi Xinghua, Liang Qin, He Huizhong)