Tibet vows to put ecology over growth

Tibet needs to maintain a higher growth rate to catch up with the development of other areas, Qi Zhala said. Its GDP exceeded 140 billion yuan ($21 billion) in 2018, the lowest of all provincial-level regions.

"The benefits of heavy investment in transportation infrastructure and people's education in recent years have begun to show, and have significantly contributed to Tibet's economic growth," he said.

Wangdu, mayor of the Tibet's resource-rich Nyingchi, said the government would rather achieve a slower growth rate than cause any damage to the environment.