KATHMANDU, March 31  -- "Recalling and analyzing what I saw then in Tibet is that in the last 50 years there has been tremendous development, which has improved the living standard of the people living in this part of China to an unbelievable ratio," said Kiran Gautam, a Nepali journalist from Nepal Post Magazine, on Tuesday

    "When I touched Tibet, the beautiful and hopeful land on Sept. 16, 2007, I found Tibetan people living there are very happy with what they have received from the central government," said Gautam in an interview with Xinhua.

Two women pose for photos in front of the Potala Palace in Lhasa, capital of southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region, Feb. 11, 2008.  (Xinhua/Chogo)

    Looking back at the pictures of 50 years ago and comparing with now can show us what development has done to the lives of all Tibetan people, Gautam added.

    As a member of a Nepali journalist delegation, Gautam has visited China's Tibet Autonomous Region (TAR) and Qinghai province on Sept. 16-26, 2007.

    Gautam said, "During the 10-day journey to China, we visited the highest railway line in the world-- the Qinghai-Tibet rail links, the world heritage site -- the Potala Palace, the Tibet Museum and many other places."

An old man and his granddaughter share a happy moment in Nagqu Town, southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region, June 13, 2006. (Xinhua/Chogo)

    "Our delegation met with a senior official of Lhasa city. He told us that the city with a 1,300 year history, was open for foreign investors, and listed among the 'must visit 24 cities in China'. In 2000, Lhasa was chosen as the best tourism destination in China", Gautam said.

    Gautam said "We found in Lhasa city and other parts of the region that Tibetan culture has been well preserved. Also, the Chinese government had preserved all the lamaseries. The Tibetan language had been given more importance, and both the Han and Tibetan languages are used in government decisions and notices."

    "If you look at the people governing the TAR, most of them are of Tibetan origin," Gautam said, adding that even in government offices, about 70 percent officers were Tibetans.

    He also said that because of the Qinghai-Tibet rail lines, Lhasa has already seen a significant boost in economic growth. The rail line has made Tibet closer to other parts of China, and there is also an increase in air link. Now there are at least 10 flights to domestic destinations and one international flight to Nepal.

    In 50 years, TAR had seen much development. It' s because the central government's policy towards Tibet has always been good, said Gautam.