Tibet's transport links greatly improved, says Chinese legislator

China's Tibet Autonomous Region has seen a huge boost to its transport links, through new railways, airports and highways, China's Tibetan legislator Qizhala said on Tuesday.

Qizhala, head of a Chinese National People's Congress (NPC) Tibetan delegation visiting Mexico, made this remark when meeting with members of the Mexican Senate's Asia-Pacific Foreign Relations Committee.

The Tibet Autonomous Region has been able to overcome technical challenges, posed by its altitude, to achieve the improvement, said Qizhala, a delegate to the NPC and secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Lhasa Municipal Committee.

Qizhala also said that Tibet's development requires the building of infrastructure, but the region always seeks to strike a balance between construction and environmental protection.

During the meeting, Mexican Senator Manuel Cavazos Lerma said: "Despite the distance, we feel a great affinity with China, and the relation between us has grown stronger over time."

"Our interests will continue on a road of cooperation and solidarity, allowing us to amicably resolve any differences that may arise along the way," he said.

Cavazos Lerma hailed the policies implemented by China's central government, "which have achieved substantial reduction of poverty, growth, as well as political, economic, social and cultural development" in the Tibet Autonomous Region.

He also highlighted the notable advances made in Tibet in the sectors of agriculture, livestock, industry and telecommunications network.

Senator Daniel Avila Ruiz noted the important infrastructure developments in Tibet, especially the building of new highways, which has allowed for greater interconnections between the region and the rest of China.

Avila Ruiz also highlighted the important investment that the Chinese government has made in airport construction in Tibet, where Tibet Airlines is planning to expand from domestic service to international flights.

Senator Jose Ascencion Orihuela Barcenas expressed his pleasure with Qizhala's visit to the Senate, hailing it as "another step to strengthen exchanges and collaboration between Mexico and China."