Xi's enduring bond with Xizang mirrors region's dramatic transformation

Galai, a picturesque village in Nyingchi, boasts over 1,000 peach trees, some dating back more than six centuries. Yet, it was only in recent years that rural tourism blossomed into a pillar industry, transforming local livelihoods.

"In the past, wild peach trees were felled for firewood. Today, we've come to realize that 'lucid waters and lush mountains are invaluable assets,'" Penpa, the village's Party chief, told Xi.

Peach blossoms, long revered in Chinese culture as emblems of pastoral beauty, now draw flocks of visitors to Galai each spring for its vibrant festival, aided by the convenience of a nearby highway. This "peach blossom economy" has become a reliable source of prosperity for the villagers.

With pride, Dawa Gyaltsen recounted his family's diversified income streams — from transportation services and construction equipment to dividends from Peach Blossom Valley tourism.

"That adds up to several hundred thousand yuan — a happy family indeed," Xi said with a smile.

Xi's connection with Xizang stretches back decades. In 1998, as Fujian province's deputy Party chief, he first set foot in the region while overseeing developmental support initiatives. The poor and dangerous road conditions left Xi with a deep impression. "At a narrow section, we had to get off to move two logs to get through. Those officials heading to Medog had to arrive there by horse," he later recalled.

Medog, also in Nyingchi, cradled deep in the Himalayas, was once China's only county without highway access. Xi kept a close watch on its progress. In March 2013, during his first participation in the annual session of the national legislature after taking office as general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, Xi joined lawmakers from Xizang in a deliberation session.

He asked Padma Chodron, a lawmaker hailing from Medog, whether the highway had opened.

"When I told him it would open soon, he nodded with a smile," Padma Chodron recounted.

That same year, the 117-kilometer Medog Highway finally ended the county's isolation, revolutionizing travel, education, and healthcare access. Under Xi's leadership, Xizang has witnessed sweeping advancements in policy, infrastructure and economic vitality.