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Headlines : InternationalChina opens worlds highest railway; Tibet sees a threat
Given the fact that throughout history, China has encouraged mass migration into areas surrounding itself so it can slowly assimilate the land, the worries of many Tibet supporters are legitimate.
China simply views Tibet as yet another group of ethnic minorities that will someday accept their part in China. Connecting Tibet to China by rail forces Tibet to become more connected.
Regardless, this is one of the greatest engineering achievements in the world.
Check out pictures of it here
Take online action NOW to tell the Chinese government you Reject the Railway
[Posted By senssensibilityr]Republished from BBC
Chinese President Hu Jintao has opened the world’s highest railway, describing it as a “magnificent feat”.
The Qinghai-Tibet line boasts high-tech engineering to stabilise tracks over permafrost and sealed cabins to protect passengers from the high altitude.
China says the 1,140km (710-mile) line will bring major opportunities to a poor region.
But critics fear it will be used by China to assert its control over a contested border region.
They also say the railway line threatens not only the delicate Himalayan environment, but also the ancient Tibetan culture.
Red ribbon
Mr Hu cut a red ribbon before the first train left Golmud in China’s Qinghai province, carrying 900 passengers to the Tibetan capital, Lhasa.
“This is a magnificent feat by the Chinese people, and also a miracle in world railway history,” Mr Hu said.
He said it showed China’s people were “ambitious, self-confident and capable of standing among the world’s advanced nations”.
Musicians in traditional Tibetan and Chinese dress banged drums and cymbals as thousands of workers who helped to build the line looked on.
Minutes later, state TV showed another train departing Lhasa for Golmud.
On Friday, three foreign activists were briefly detained at Beijing’s central railway station on…
Posted by senssensibilityr
Student of German and Russian culture, history and language, emphasis on post-Dark Age European History.
German and Russian 20th century literature.
Studying Arabic.
Cannot wait to go to Freiburg to study @ Goethe Institut im Februar.
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Tibet railway opens the gates for mining (28/7 Interfax.cn)
China’s Tibetan Autonomous Region could be the largest mineral resource in the country, with a potential value of more than RMB 1 trillion (USD 125 bln).
Tibet has the largest chromium and copper deposits in the country, and prospecting has already discovered deposits of 101 other minerals and more than 2,000 more potential mining sites.
Because of a lack of funds and transportation, few of Tibet’s mineral deposits have so far been explored. In Tibet, less than 1% of discovered mines have been prospected, only 15% of mines under commercial operation have completed reconnoiter works, and only 10% of mining companies have passed resources assessment by local authority.
But this was all before the railroad came to town….