Tibet achieves high economic growth

Official Chinese statistics show that economic growth in Tibet last year is estimated to have far outpaced average growth throughout China.

The rate inTibet is estimated at thirteen-point-four per cent for 1997 compared with a Chinese national average of just under nine per cent.

The Chinese say it wasthe fifth consecutive year that Tibet has achieved growth of more than ten per cent.

Correspondents say the region has benefitted from Chinese government support and a surge of investment in basic industries and infrastructure.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service