Xizang celebrates 50 years of Qomolangma measurement

As China marks the 50th anniversary of its second summit and first independent measurement of Mount Qomolangma's height, Xizang is becoming a global hub for high-altitude mountaineering, training, and international cooperation.

Records show that on May 27, 1975, a Chinese mountaineering team consisting of nine climbers, including Sonam Norgyal, Phenthok, Lotse, and Samdrub, managed to reach the summit of Mount Qomolangma (also known as Mount Everest in the West) from the north slope.

The team stayed on the peak for 70 minutes and precisely measured the mountain's height at 8,848.13 meters.

Starting April 28, a series of events were held in Lhasa to commemorate the 50th anniversary of China's historic Mount Qomolangma summit.

Highlights included a large-scale climbing expedition on Mount Lhotse from May 1 to 3, where 160 climbers reached the 6,010-meter summit. The program also featured Sino-Nepal mountaineering exchanges, a hiking assembly, and a mountain biking race.

Nyima Tsering, head of the region's sports bureau, said that inspired by the spirit of mountaineering, Xizang's mountaineering endeavors have continually achieved breakthroughs and accomplishments.

"The Xizang Mountaineering Team has developed into a formidable international force, with numerous climbers summiting Mount Qomolangma and other peaks above 8,000 meters," said Nyima Tsering, adding the team is the first in the world to ascend all 14 peaks above 8,000 meters as a group.

The Xizang Mountaineering School has cultivated many outstanding mountaineers, created a sustainable business model, and achieved notable success in domestic and international mountaineering exchanges and high-altitude rescues, he said.

"Moving forward, Xizang aims to promote high-quality development in mountaineering, and it will attach greater importance to safety management, environmental protection, the mountaineering industry, and talent development," Nyima Tsering added.