Phoenix TV:

Regarding environmental protection, in addition to the saying "clear waters and green mountains are as valuable as gold and silver," there is also the saying "ice and snow are as valuable as gold and silver" in Xizang. I would like to ask what achievements Xizang has made in recent years in protecting environmental rights? Thank you.

Gama Cedain:

I'll take this question. This is also a very important question. As we mentioned earlier, ecological conservation is one of the four main tasks for Xizang in the new era. Xizang has always prioritized eco-environmental conservation, keeping in mind General Secretary Xi Jinping's instruction that "conserving the ecology of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau is the greatest contribution to the survival and development of the Chinese nation." We have implemented the strictest eco-environmental protection systems and continuously enhanced environmental governance. Today, our pristine eco-environment has become a crucial contributor to the well-being of people from all ethnic groups and stands as Xizang's most distinctive feature. I believe that in the coming days, our journalist friends will personally experience Xizang's breathtaking natural beauty. Let me briefly introduce four aspects of this to you.

First, Xizang's air has become fresher, with "Bright Xizang" becoming increasingly evident. Since 2016, the annual proportion of days with excellent or good air quality in Xizang has consistently exceeded 99%. Air quality in major towns and cities has generally remained excellent or good, while the air quality in the Mount Qomolangma area continues to be rated as excellent or good, meeting China's Grade-I national standards.

Second, our glaciers are better preserved, making "Crystal Xizang" even more beautiful. The Xizang Autonomous Region promulgated the Regulations of the Xizang Autonomous Region for Glacier Protection, which provides frameworks for strengthening glacier protection, ensuring ecological security, promoting sustainable economic development and achieving harmony between humanity and nature. Additionally, Xizang has also coordinated glacier protection with surrounding ecological conservation efforts, achieving eco-environmental protection across the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau.

Third, our water quality has improved, making "Clear Xizang" increasingly attractive. Xizang's beautiful lakes and majestic rivers are unique landscapes of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. Through systematic protection measures focused on 33 major river sources, 100% of rivers and lakes in Xizang now meet healthy evaluation standards, with 99.96% of key rivers and lakes achieving target ecological flow rates. Nowadays, taking a scenic lake-touring trip in Xizang has become a shared aspiration for many tourists.

Fourth, living conditions have become more comfortable, and the goal of building a "Livable Xizang" is gradually being realized. All seven prefecture-level cities in Xizang are now designated as National Ecological Civilization Demonstration Zones, making it the only provincial-level region nationwide where every prefecture-level city has achieved the target. In the central urban area of Lhasa, where we are now, the first phase of the water system ecological management project and the ongoing second phase have further enhanced the urban water landscape, continuously improving the living environment. As a result, Lhasa is becoming an ever more livable and beautiful highland city.

"Green development underlines high-quality development, and the new quality productive forces in essence are green." Xizang has transformed its lucid waters, lush mountains, glaciers and snowy lands into invaluable assets, ultimately benefiting the people of Xizang. We often say that "seeing is believing." During this visit to Xizang, participants will have the opportunity to personally discover the region's remarkable high-altitude ecological conditions. Thank you.