The newly opened railway that has linked Tibet Autonomous Region with the rest of the country for the first time will not bring an influx of permanent settlers to the plateau, the region's vice-chairman has noted.

Wu Yingjie, also a top publicity official of the regional government, made the comments recently in response to a question by a foreign journalist over whether immigrants would flood in and destroy the plateau's ecology with the launch of the railway.

"Tibet's unique natural conditions make it impossible for Han people and people from other ethnic groups to settle down here," said Wu.

The Qinghai-Tibet Railway, the world's highest, opened on July 1 and promises easier transport, enhanced communication and economic progress to the autonomous region.

Yet some people overseas have voiced concern over an influx of settlers.

Wu said there are people from various ethnic groups working in Tibet. "They're helping with Tibet's construction. Their efforts in medical, public health, education and other sectors are aimed at bringing the Tibetans closer to modern civilization and improving the quality of local people's life.

"The Tibetans and the other 55 Chinese ethnic groups are members of one big family.

"It's natural for them to conduct exchanges freely."

Fifty years ago, Wu said, Tibet was an isolated land with a population of 960,000 and almost negative population growth.

"Today, its population has expanded to 2.7 million, with Tibetans accounting for 95 per cent," he said.

Source: China Daily/Xinhua