Your article about the so-called “environmental crisis” in Tibet (Tibet’s fragile ecosystem is in danger. China must change its flawed environmental policy, theguardian.com, 7 August) was misleading. Demographically, ethnic Tibetans constitute the majority and continue to be the main beneficiary of the remarkable development in Tibet, with the traditional culture being fully restored, preserved and promoted.
In recent years, the Tibet Autonomous Region (TAR) has strictly followed the principle of “keeping development and protection policies in tandem” and has given priority to protection of the ecological environment all along. By the end of 2016, 47 nature reserves had been established in Tibet, covering 35% of the autonomous region’s total land area. In addition, 22 ecological protection zones had been set up. The region’s environmental communique in 2016 records that most areas remain in their pristine state, and the environmental quality remains good.
China has invested heavily in building an ecological security shield for the “roof of the world”. Over 10bn yuan (£1.1bn) has been budgeted for the period from 2008 to 2030 to fund various eco projects. We will continue to invest to minimise the impact of global warming on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau and achieve sustainable development locally.
Zeng Rong
Spokesperson of the Chinese embassy in the UK
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