China has announced a bunch of big projects for Lhasa, the capital of the Tibetan Autonomous Region (TAR), worth hundreds of millions of dollars to set up hotels, parks and apartments in the city.
The announcement of the large-projects come at a time when the Tibetan areas have seen a spurt in protest suicides against the perceived hardline rule of Beijing; more than 90 monks and civilians including women and teenagers have set themselves on fire in protest till now.
Beijing has consistently blamed the exiled Tibetan leader Dalai Lama for inciting people to self-immolate and instigate separatism. Financial rewards have been offered for information on planned immolations; earlier this month two persons were also arrested in connection with the cases.
According to the staff of the Economic and Development Bureau of the Liu Wu district in Lhasa, 15 major projects will be built next year with a total of investment of 3.7 billion Yuan (about US$592.74 million.)
The mouthpiece of the Communist Party of China (CPC), People’s Daily online said the 15 major projects cover business and people's livelihood, such as Liu Wu HOPSCA (hotel, office, park, shopping mall, convention, and apartment), Kangrin International, the Liu Wu District Hospital and the local markets.
{{/usCountry}}The mouthpiece of the Communist Party of China (CPC), People’s Daily online said the 15 major projects cover business and people's livelihood, such as Liu Wu HOPSCA (hotel, office, park, shopping mall, convention, and apartment), Kangrin International, the Liu Wu District Hospital and the local markets.
{{/usCountry}}The projects are also aimed at attracting more tourists. This year, TAR had received 10 million domestic and foreign tourists till the end of November.