'Shangri-la complex' stymies rational perception of Tibet

Some call Tibet the "last pure land on Earth" and want it to be immune from any development, afraid it might lead to destruction of Tibetan culture and annihilation of Tibetan Buddhism.

"Those people believe that Tibet should remain at a primitive stage for ever and Tibetans should always ride yaks and live in tents," Cui Yuying, vice head of the State Council Information Office, told the opening ceremony of the forum.

For the past half century, however, Tibet has been on an irreversible path of development and civilization, which complies with the general trend of the development of human society, Cui said.

Tibet's GDP has maintained double-digit growth for the past two decades. In 2013, the economy of Tibet reached 80.2 billion yuan ($13 billion).

"Tibet is in the best development period of its history," said Losang Jamcan, chairman of the Tibetan regional government. He stressed Tibet will never sacrifice its environment for economic growth.

"Tibet remains one of the places with the best environment in the world," said Jambae, head of the Tibet Environmental Protection Department. Water quality in rivers and lakes in Tibet has maintained high standards. Air quality is excellent or good in Lhasa and other major townships at most times of a year. The Chinese government plans to invest 15.5 billion yuan to protect Tibet's environment.