Socio-Economic Development of Tibet in the 8th Five-Year Plan (1991–1995). Part 6

Abstract

The fourth session of the NPC of the VII convocation (March 25 — April 9, 1991) approved a ten-year plan for the socio-economic development of the People's Republic of China (1991–2000), as well as a plan for the 8th five-year plan. According to the eighth five-year plan, the average annual growth rate of the country's GDP in 1991–1995 was to be 6 %. However, the collapse of the socialist system in Eastern Europe and the dismantling of the USSR in December 1991 forced the Chinese leadership to reconsider the country's development strategy. In January-February 1992, Deng Xiaoping went to the south of the country, where he expressed ideas about the future development of the country. On the basis of this, a decision was made on a new acceleration of economic growth and the transition to a new economic strategy: the “socialist market economy system”. As a result of the measures taken, the average annual growth rate for the 8th five-year period amounted to 11.8 % — the best results in the economic history of the People's Republic of China. Tibet, as one of the five autonomous regions of China, has also revised the strategy of economic development in accordance with the general one in the country, considering its specifics. The main task of the economic development of Tibet was the accelerated development of the region, the fight against poverty, the full stimulation of market relations and openness. During the eighth five-year plan, Tibet managed to solve many problems and achieve many successes.