Across China: New batch of cadres, doctors come to Tibet

Wei Xiaodong has just left his comfortable post as a school manager in Nanjing and taken up a position as an elementary school vice principle in Lhasa, capital of Tibet Autonomous Region.

As a member of the latest group of volunteers to work in Tibet, Wei arrived in the southwest region with more than 70 education specialists. He will work in Lhasa for about two years.

"Before September, another 700 teachers will come to work in Tibet," he said.

Starting last year, the Organization Department of the CPC Central Committee and Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security decided to transfer teachers and doctors to Tibet, to improve services.

"A single teacher can only teach a few classes, but by coming in groups, we hope to update education in Tibetan schools," said Wei.

Dozens of doctors, too, have started residencies at hospitals across Tibet.

"We different specialists, which will enable us to treat patients with more complicated afflictions, and train more doctors," said Yu Yabin, the leader of a doctors' team from Beijing.

New government cadres are also arriving. By the end of July, the seventh group of officials, about 1,300, will finish their three-year tenure, and return to their posts in other provinces.

Statistics show about 12.8 billion yuan was invested in Tibet in the last three years.

Xu Ke, a geographic survey expert from Liaoning Province, has spent most of his time charting Nagqu. The data he collected was used to build water, irrigation and heating facilities for the locals herders.

"About 90 percent of my time is spent in the wild," the 30-year-old said.

Vegetable and fruit prices are exorbitantly high in Pulan County, Nagri Prefecture, as the area is hard to reach. Strawberries can cost as much as 240 yuan (about 36 U.S. dollars) per kilo.

Gao Baojun, a cadre from Shaanxi Province, has been helping farmers explore new cultivation systems. "Vegetable prices are almost half now than two years ago," he said.

"Volunteers from other provinces have been helping the people in Tibet, improving their lives and their children's future," said Trinley, Tibet religious affairs director.

"Tibet needs skilled people to help it develop, and for the young, working in Tibet is an eye opening experience that they will cherish all their lives," said Deng Shengming, deputy director of the Organization Department of the CPC Central Committee. Endi