Before Tibet’s peaceful liberation in 1951, the region’s economic development was minimal, being overwhelmingly based on agriculture and animal husbandry. After 1951, the reconstruction of the Tibetan economy was initiated. But until the democratic reform and socialist construction began in Tibet in 1959, there was no industry or any kind of a modern economic structure. However, during the past 30 years of reform and opening-up, the Tibetan economy has been gradually transformed from a traditional to a modern one. In this process, modern industry has burgeoned in Tibet, while traditional industry has been rejuvenated. This book gives a brief introduction to this development process.

  The GDP of Tibet in 2007 stood at 34.219 billion yuan, nearly three times the 11.75 billion yuan in 2000. Compared with the region’s GDP in 1959 (174 million yuan), it had increased by some 59 times if calculated at comparable prices, with an annual growth rate of 8.9 percent.

Chapter Ⅰ A Survey

(1) Nature and Resources

(2) Traditional Highland Economy 

(3) Rise and Growth of Modem Industries

Chapter Ⅱ Agriculture and Animal Husbandry

(1) Unique Highland Agriculture and Animal Husbandry

(2) Rise and Development of Modem Industry

(3) Agricultural Development Projects and Modem Livestock Farming

Chapter Ⅲ Handicraft Industry and Modern Industry

(1) Ethnic Handicraft Industry 

(2) Modem Industry

Chapter Ⅳ Transportation

(1) Beginning of Modem Transportation

(2) Qinghai-Tibet Railway -- the World’s Highest and Longest Railway

(3) Oil Pipelines -- an Achievement of Science and Technology

Chapter Ⅴ Post and Telecommunications on the Highland

(1) Introduction of New Services

(2) Building of an Advanced Communications Infrastructure

Chapter Ⅵ Tourism Industry on the Highland

(1) The Origin and Growth of the Industry

(2) Resources and Forms 

(3) Tourism" Promoting Development and Generating Wealth 

(4) Tourism Industry and Scientific Development

Chapter VII Modern Trading and Markets

(1) Development of Commodity Markets 

(2) Border Trade 

ChapterⅧ The Lives of Tibetans and Their Consumption of Goods and Services

(1) Modern Elements in Traditional Modes of Consumption

(2) From Subsistence to Development

(3) Moving from a Traditional to a Modem Lifestyle

Chapter Ⅸ Tibetan Economy in the New Century

(1) Support from all over the Country

(2) New Opportunities in the New Century

(3) Protection of the Ecosystem and Sustainable Development

Tips

The Negotiation Process during the Peaceful Liberation of Tibet

The Democratic Revolution and the Establishment of Tibet Autonomous Region

Four Conferences on Tibet

The Ninth Five-Year Plan (1996-2000)

The Tenth Five-Year Plan (2001-2005)

The Eleventh Five-Year Plan (2006-2010)