"We have plenty of reasons to say that Tibet is now at its best time. It's now enjoying a speedily growing economy, a solid unity of ethnic groups and a consolidated border security," said Qiangba Puncog, chairman of the Tibet Autonomous Region.

"Tibet didn't have even an inch of highway decades ago, but now boasts 30,000 kilometres. And what's more important is that people's standard of living has been much improved."

There has been a "sea change" in the living conditions of the Tibetan people over the past few decades. Many Tibetan families now enjoy daily conveniences, like telephones, TV sets and the Internet, and keep abreast of the world development.

The annual average GDP growth of Tibet, which has a population of 2.4 million people, has been more than 10 per cent for 10 straight years. The growth rate even reached 12.2 per cent in 2004, bringing the region's total to a record 21.15 billion yuan (US$2.56 billion).

In the same year, the annual per-capita net income of Tibetan farmers and herdsmen stood at 1,861 yuan (US$225).

"Though the amount was somewhat low, its increase rate has kept accelerating," he said.

In comparison, the disposable income of the urban Tibetans was 8,200 yuan (US$991) in 2004, an increase of 1.8 per cent on a yearly basis.

In 2004, Tibet's per-capita GDP reached 7,772 yuan (US$939), 75 per cent of the country's average and listed 23rd among 31 provinces, autonomous regions and municipalities.

At the same time, Tibet's fixed assets investment rose to 16.84 billion yuan (US$2.03 billion), up 25.7 per cent over the previous year.

"With the central government enhancing its mine exploration work in Tibet, Tibet's advantages in mineral mines are showing up and catching the attention of outsiders," said Puncog.

Puncog said he thinks Tibet's cultural and historical richness is attractive to travellers from other parts of the world. He said the region has enormous development potential.

He said the central government has poured an annual average of more than 10 billion yuan (US$1.2 billion) into Tibet in recent years to start big projects and update local infrastructure.

"With investment from other channels including civil investment, there is more than 16 billion yuan (US$1.93 billion) of investment poured into Tibet a year," he said.

He said some people, especially those affected by Western media reports, have no idea about the real situation in Tibet before they visit the region.

"But when they come here to see for themselves, they are stunned by the fast development and the harmonious relations between the different ethnic groups," said Puncog.

"To my knowledge, current ethnic relations are the best Tibet has ever experienced."

Judging from Tibet's development process in the past half a century, he said, Tibet's successful development should firstly be attributed to incessant help and support from the central government. This has made Tibet's economic take-off possible and successful.

"Relations between different ethnic groups are at their best, after decades of positive efforts by the people," said Puncog. "We must cherish and safeguard the current situation carefully."

Puncog said that after examining Tibet's history since its peaceful liberation in 1951, it could be concluded that the more the ethnic groups unite, the more the Tibetan economy and society would develop. Puncog said the reverse is also true. The more rifts there are between ethnic groups, the more likely it is that Tibet will suffer economic setbacks, social instability and trouble.

"Ethnic unity is no doubt the most important precondition for Tibet's development," he said.

If the situation in Tibet can be maintained, Puncog said, Tibet will have a good opportunity to turn its potential into fact.

Tibet has overcome a great many barriers and hardships when seeking the right way to develop and has now found it, he said.

"And we have no reason not to stick to that manner since it promises the Tibetan people a whole new future."

He said with the upcoming operation of the Qinghai-Tibetan railway, Tibetan tourism will get another boost.

There are currently more than 40 foreign-invested projects under construction, some jointly handled by investors from different countries.

Once energy, communications and other infrastructure in Tibet have been adequately improved, people can expect fresh leaps in its development.