Tibet sees sharp poverty reduction in 2012

Southwest China's Tibet autonomous region saw its impoverished population decrease by 130,000 people last year, local authorities said Friday.

Through the efforts of the central and local governments, 130,000 poverty-stricken people have overcome poverty, according to the regional poverty alleviation office.

Statistics from the office showed that the number of impoverished people in Tibet had decreased to 583,000 by the end of 2012 from 833,000 in 2010.

Chonyi Yarphel, director of the office, said Tibet has made great efforts to find effective ways to alleviate poverty, including the establishment of anti-poverty projects and job training programs.

The construction of family hostels and food processing plants has proven to be a popular method of combating poverty, Chonyi Yarphel said.

The regional government has prioritized the allocation of poverty alleviation funding for border areas, pastures and other areas with adverse geographical conditions, he added.

The impoverished population is expected to decrease by 128,000 this year, according to the regional poverty alleviation office.