LHASA, Jan. 31 (Xinhua) -- Southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region is targeting high-quality economic development this year, vowing to implement measures such as investing in infrastructure, expanding high-level opening up, further developing clean energy and accelerating the application of digital and smart technologies.

Having surpassed the 300-billion-yuan (about 43 billion U.S. dollars) gross domestic product (GDP) mark last year, the region is aiming for a GDP growth of more than 7 percent in 2026, according to a government work report delivered on Saturday by Gama Cedain, chairman of the regional government, at the annual session of the regional people's congress.

During the 14th Five-Year Plan period (2021-2025), Xizang's regional GDP grew by 6.3 percent on average annually, reaching 303.19 billion yuan in 2025, Gama Cedain said in the report.

The year 2026 marks the beginning of China's 15th Five-Year Plan period (2026-2030).

This year, Xizang will strive to complete investments exceeding 244 billion yuan in fully supporting major projects such as a hydropower project in the lower reaches of the Yarlung Zangbo River and the Sichuan-Xizang Railway, while also implementing quality improvements to several national highways.

The region will vigorously develop its clean energy industry, aiming to increase its installed power generation capacity from 13 million kW in 2025 to 20 million kW in 2026, with integrated power bases combining wind, solar and hydropower to be built at different locations, according to the report.

Despite being burdened by its high altitude and harsh environment, Xizang is in a strong position to develop its clean energy sector, thanks to its abundant solar, wind and water resources. Breathtaking mountainous landscapes and rich Tibetan ethnic culture also make the region a popular tourist destination.

In 2026, the plateau region will promote the integrated development of cultural and tourism industries, while also accelerating the digital and smart transformation of cultural tourism and continuing to boost its tourism consumption. Performances and intangible cultural heritage items will be encouraged to enter scenic areas and star-rated hotels, and rural tourism will be further upgraded, the report said.

As a border region, Xizang will expand its opening up at a higher level. While ensuring the steady operation of the existing 14 traditional border trade sites, the region will open another 12 this year.

The region will optimize the layout of its computing power industry, and accelerate the integrated application of digital and intelligent technologies.

The region will also invest heavily in improving people's livelihood, with 13.6 billion yuan earmarked for 34 livelihood projects. Notably, the annual subsidy for free preschool education in agricultural and pastoral areas will be raised from 380 yuan to 1,000 yuan per child on average.

Xizang will continue prioritizing ecological conservation by planting over 26,000 hectares of trees in 2026, half of which will be for the afforestation project in the mountains to the north and south of the regional capital Lhasa, the report noted.

"Today's Xizang is embracing unprecedented historical opportunities, with its role as a security barrier, advantages in energy resources, and strategic corridor position becoming increasingly prominent," Gama Cedain said. "A magnificent blueprint is now unfolding." ■