Tibet Autonomous Region in southwest China plans to invest approximately RMB 190 billion (approximately US $ 29.3 billion) in transport infrastructure projects in 2021-2025.
The money will go towards building new expressways, upgrading existing national and regional highways, and improving road conditions in rural areas, the Tibet Autonomous Region Transportation Authority said.
By 2025, the total length of highways in Tibet will exceed 120,000 km, and high-speed roads - 1,300 km, the above-mentioned agency said in a statement.
A convenient, shared, safe and green integrated transport system will be largely completed by 2025.
With strong support from the central government, Tibet's transport infrastructure improved markedly between 2016-2020.
As of the end of 2020, the total length of the district's road network was 118,800 km. Compared to 2015, this figure has increased by more than half.
The pursuit of accelerated development in the remote and impoverished southwestern region underscores Beijing's intention to strengthen border security amid heightened border tensions with India last year.
Beijing wants to build a high-speed rail network to make Tibet more accessible from the inner provinces of China.
Beijing brought troops into Tibet in 1950, officially calling it a peaceful liberation, and still maintains a large number of security forces in the unrest-ravaged region. March 10 marks the anniversary of the 1959 Tibetan uprising against the People's Republic of China.
