China begins construction of Tibet railway BEIJING: China on Friday officially launched the construction of a controversial railway to link western China with Tibet, official media reported on Friday. Opening ceremonies were held on Friday in the city of Golmud in the western Chinese province of Qinghai and in Lhasa, capital of Tibet to mark the start of construction of the "Qinghai-Tibet Railway," the Xinhua news agency said. The 1,118 km railway, the first linking Tibet with the western China, will extend from Lhasa to Golmud and will be the longest and most elevated railway built on highlands in the world, Xinhua said. China has wanted to build such a railway since shortly after taking over control of Tibet in 1950, but it postponed the project for decades due to difficulties with the altitude and terrain. More than 960 km, or four-fifths of the railway, will be built at an altitude of more than 4,000 meters and half of the railway will be laid on permafrost. Tibetans' rights advocates have condemned the project, saying although a railway could bring economic benefits, it was part of effort to encourage Han Chinese migrants to settle in Tibet and dilute the Tibetan population to enhance Beijing's control over the region. The railway and the expected influx of Han Chinese that would follow would make Tibetans second-class citizens in their own land, human rights groups have said. Tibet at present can only be accessed by air or via tortuous roads. The railway is expected to be completed in six years. (AFP)
For reprint rights:Times Syndication Service