The Chinese government has given account of the all-round development in Tibet since the region officially became part of the People's Republic of China in the 1950s in a white paper released on Sunday. The paper titled 'Successful Practice of Regional Autonomy in Tibet' explains that "implementing the system of regional ethnic autonomy in Tibet conforms to China's reality as a unified multiethnic country."

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In the white paper, theocratic Tibetan society based on serfdom is juxtaposed with the current democratic regional ethnic autonomy under China.

"Through several decades of exploring the path of regional ethnic autonomy, the people of all ethnic groups in Tibet autonomous region have achieved equality, unity, mutual support and harmony, and the system of regional ethnic autonomy has won the wholehearted support of all ethnic groups in China," the paper states.

According to the white paper, Tibet's GDP has grown by double-digits for two decades. On average, the country's GDP growth rate is 12.4 percent. Tibet's GDP increased up to 281-times from 327 million yuan in 1965 to 92.08 billion yuan in 2014. Additionally, the per capita disposable income of urban residents in Tibet has increased by nearly 40 times from 565 yuan in 1978 to 22,016 yuan in 2014. The per capita disposable income of farmers and herdsmen has also increased by about 10 percent to 7,359 yuan.

"Many farmers and herdsmen have become well-off and built new houses; some have even bought automobiles. Radio, television, telecommunications, the Internet and other modern information transmission means, which are at the same level as that of the country and the rest of the world, are now part of the Tibetans' daily life," the paper states.

The paper highlights development in the industrialization of several sectors including agriculture, medicine and tourism. It also details some key infrastructural developments in the region including transportation facilities and low income housing projects.

The white paper goes on to laud the achievements of Tibetan authorities regarding their efforts aimed at "respecting, protecting, inheriting, and carrying forward Tibet's excellent traditional culture."

The paper notes several initiatives carried out by the state to protect Tibetan culture. For example, several research centers have been commissioned by the government to research into Tibetan culture. Furthermore, millions of yuan has been funneled towards the restoration of Tibetan cultural relics.

In response to self-immolation protests over the violation of the religious rights of Tibetan Buddhists, the paper argues that there is freedom of all religious beliefs in Tibet. "After democratic reform, Tibet put an end to theocracy, separating politics from religion and so restoring the latter's true significance," the paper states. Adding that "Tibetans and other minority ethnic groups lead their religious lives and carry out religious activities according to native traditions."

There have been concerns that the stalemate between the 14^th Dalai Lama and the Chinese government may put an end to the tradition of the Living Buddha reincarnation.

After the installation of the 11^th Panchen Lama (Gedhun Choekyi Nyima) in 1995 with the support of the Dalai Lama - who is in exile -, Chinese authorities announced a separate candidate (Gyaincain Norbu), who was later installed with the support of the State Council. Meanwhile, Nyima has been hidden from the public. Experts say it is almost inevitable that a similar dispute would arise in the selection of the 15^th Dalai Lama.

However, the white paper states that the Chinese government respects the Living Buddha tradition. "The Living Buddha reincarnation is a succession system unique to Tibetan Buddhism, and is respected by the state and governments at different levels of the autonomous region, the state having issued the Measures on the Management of the Reincarnation of Living Buddhas of Tibetan Buddhism," it explains.

The white paper was released in anticipation of the celebration of the 50^th anniversary of the formation of the Tibetan Autonomous region. Recently, Tibetan Prime Minister-in-exile Lobsang Sangay condemned China's celebration of the 50^th anniversary of Tibet Autonomous Region. He described China's political control of the region as an "occupation" and stated that Beijing will face a "pushback" if it continues to insist on having a part in the selection of the 15^th Dalai Lama.

Tags50th Anniversary of Tibet Autonomous Region, Tibet Self Immolation Protests, Tibet China, Successful Practice of Regional Autonomy in Tibet, 15th Dalai Lama, 11th Panchen Lama