The historic journey added a perfect finishing touch to what President Hu Jintao described, in his congratulatory message at the celebration ceremony, as an "unparalleled feat" on the "roof of the world."

Like our second manned space flight, which is arousing both pride and envy at home and abroad, the 24-billion-yuan (US$2.96 billion) project is the fruit of our growing comprehensive national strength.

Tibet's need for and dream of a rail link with the rest of the country did not start until in 2001, when construction began.

The region had for decades remained the only province-level administrative area in China without a railway, because we had neither the money nor the technology.

We should first pay tribute to the railway workers that contributed either their ideas or physical strength to making the decades-old wish come true.

Our scientists demonstrated impressive competence in the uncharted waters of railway construction at extremely high altitudes.

A total of 960 kilometres of the 1,142-kilometre Golmud-Lhasa section of the railway are at least 4,000 metres above sea level. The track reaches 5,072 metres at Tanggula Pass.

At such altitudes, frozen soil, the fragile ecology and oxygen deficiency were believed to be insuperable natural barriers to railway building. Among voices of dissent, there was the claim that a railway like this would result in irreparable damage to the environment.

In total, 550 kilometres of the tracks were laid on frozen soil. Vegetation was meticulously preserved. Pollution was kept to a minimum. In order not to disrupt the seasonable migration routes of animals, including the famous Tibetan antelope, planners added to their blueprints a network of culverts.

At such altitudes, often considered unsuitable for human habitation, railway building is not only a challenge to human wisdom, but first of all a test of physiological endurance.

For that alone, the railway should forever be appreciated with respect and gratitude for its builders.

Each sleeper and section of track they laid took a huge effort, quite aside from the construction of the numerous bridges and tunnels that dot the Qinghai-Tibet Railway.

They have made history not just in China but the whole world.

The railway, which they sweated for four years to build, is set to make history in the country's strategic attempt to balance regional development.

The rail link does more than incorporate the Tibet Autonomous Region and part of Qinghai Province in the national railway network. It will prove a significant boost to economic progress on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau.

The lack of a rail link with the rest of the country had long been a major obstacle to the area's economic ambitions. The railway will considerably reduce transport costs and accelerate the flow of commodities when it begins trial operations in July 2006.

Unlike traditional track-rolling missions, the first train was not loaded to full capacity with sand or rocks, but arrived at Lhasa on Saturday carrying aid.

Major State firms have donated 12,300 tons of various materials, including chemical fertilizers, wheat flour and steel products, in an enthusiastic response to the Ministry of Railways' idea to turn the track-rolling trips into aid missions.

Tibet has been receiving assistance from both the central government and fraternal provinces.

With the newly acquired rail link, the people of Tibet can expect even more benefits from afar.