The Economy of Tibet: Transformation from a Traditional to a Modern Economy

Before Tibet's peaceful liberation in 1951, the region's economic development was minimal, being overwhelmingly based on agriculture and animal husbandry. After 1951, the reconstruction of the Tibetan economy was initiated. But until the democratic reform and socialist construction began in Tibet in 1959, there was no industry or any kind of a modern economic structure. However, during the past 30 years of reform and opening-up, the Tibetan economy has been gradually transformed from a traditional to a modern one. In this process, modern industry has burgeoned in Tibet, while traditional industry has been rejuvenated. This book gives a brief introduction to this development process.