The People's Liberation Army (PLA) garrison and armed police stationed in Tibet are pillars of social stability in the region and a fresh force to Tibetan economy, a senior official said in Lhasa on Saturday.

Raidi, vice chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, China's top legislature, made the remarks on the occasion of the 40th anniversary of the founding of Tibet Autonomous Region, which falls on Sept. 1.

"The garrison and armed police have been helping the local people a lot in promoting education, science and technology, medical treatment and in major project construction and disaster relief," said Raidi, who worked in Tibet for dozens of years.

The troops helped build the first highway, first power station,first school and first factory in southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region, which was backward and in a serfdom society 40 years ago.

The troops have been making noticeable contributions to safeguarding China's southwest border, upholding the country's unification and building up the highland, Raidi said, adding their contributions will be recorded in the history of Tibet.

Raidi is deputy head of a delegation of the Chinese central authorities, which is in Lhasa to attend celebrations for the region's 40th founding anniversary.

Source: Xinhua