Tibet plans to invigorate economic and social development of its border areas with an investment of 1.596 billion yuan RMB.

The government aims to achieve seven goals within five years (2006-2010): to improve infrastructure construction, reduce poverty occurrence, improve public services, increase economic development capability, boost border trade, better protect ecological environment, and strengthen social security.

This file photo shows staff programming TV shows at Tibet Television Station. Programs in the Tibetan language by the station are broadcast 24 hours non stop. [Xinhua Photo]

It will strive to make an electrification coverage of 85 percent and a television and broadcast coverage of no less than 80 percent in border counties and townships by the end of 2010. By then, the whole population there will have access to safe drinking water, 25,000 residential houses will be renovated, and per capita living space will be more than 30 meters square.

Border counties and townships will enjoy prior access to compulsory education. The government also plans to accelerate construction of a new rural cooperative medical care system, strengthen construction of public cultural service system, perfect cultural infrastructure, better promote scientific information service and advanced applicable techniques, and accelerate construction of a socialist harmonious society. 　

As for the construction of a new socialist countryside, support and aid will be given to development of featured industries and diversified economy, more fund will be directed to the central government's program of developing agriculture, rural areas, and farmers. In addition, the regional government will step up development of safe and ecological agriculture and animal husbandry of high quality and yield, and advance industrialized agricultural operation.

It is learned that 536 million yuan will go to infrastructure construction, 313 million to social causes, 340 million to leading industries, and 407 million to construction of new socialist countryside and industrial structure adjustment.