Two years after the Chinese government initiated an affordable housing project in Tibet's herding areas, Tibetans are enjoying a developed infrastructure, including an improved supply of water, electricity and transportation. CRI's Zheng Chenguang reports.

Reporter:

An estimated 8 out of 10 people in Tibet make a living as a herdsman, and they have led a comparatively poor life over the past few decades. In an effort to improve their living conditions, an affordable housing project was launched in 2006 to ensure that 80 percent of Tibetans have safe, comfortable housing by 2010.

Lhagpa Phuntshogs, a senior researcher on Tibetan studies, says the efforts have paid off.

"Two years after the implementation of the affordable housing project, a total of 6.6 billion Yuan, less than 1 billion US dollars has been injected into it. Up to 570,000 herdsmen have moved into new homes. People's average living floor space has more than doubled, reaching 36 square meters. The local people no longer have to live with the cattle they raise."

The project has also brought better infrastructure and more job opportunities.

Over the past two years, water supply, electricity, roads and telecommunications have all undergone dramatic changes. And by joining the construction process themselves, the herdsman's average income has also increased significantly.

Yang Haibin is the vice chairman of Tibet Autonomous Region.

"Since the peaceful liberation of Tibet in 1951, the affordable housing project boasts the biggest investment and benefits the herdsman the most. Through the project, the herding areas in Tibet will witness historical changes."

Tsamjor is among the thousands who benefited from the project. She says she is pleased with her new house, which she received free of charge.

"The government subsidized me 36,000 Yuan for this new house. It's the blessing of this country that has enabled us to live in such a nice house. My mom told me that life has never been this good since the peaceful liberation of Tibet. It's all because of the good polices of the country."
An additional 2.3 billion Yuan, 0.3 billion US dollars will be allocated later this year to further improve road and electricity conditions in the main areas in Tibet.

Zheng Chenguang, CRI News.