Editor's note: Qiao Basheng, a special commentator on current affairs for CGTN, is a professor at the Institute of China's Borderland Studies, Zhejiang Normal University, and an adjunct professor at Northwest University of Political Science and Law. The article reflects the author's opinions and not necessarily those of CGTN.

Amid the vast landscape of the snowy plateau, a form of democracy deeply rooted in Chinese soil and marked by distinct contemporary characteristics – whole-process people's democracy – is thriving with vitality. Under the strong leadership of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and the Chinese government, the Xizang Autonomous Region has transformed this concept into a solid institutional system and vivid governance practices, paving a broad path for people of all ethnic groups to participate widely and effectively exercise their right to be masters of their own affairs.

Institutional safeguards strengthen the foundation of democracy

Xizang's democratic practice is deeply rooted in China's system of regional ethnic autonomy, a fundamental political system enshrined in the Constitution. People of all ethnic groups in Xizang fully enjoy the right to independently manage the affairs of their own region and ethnic group.

Among Xizang's 42,153 deputies to people's congresses at four levels, Tibetans and other ethnic minorities account for 89.2 percent. Of the 428 deputies to the 12th People's Congress of the Xizang Autonomous Region, 280 are Tibetans and other ethnic minorities, making up 65.42 percent. Among the 24 deputies to the 14th National People's Congress, Tibetans and other ethnic minorities account for 66.7 percent.

Of Xizang's 29 members of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), ethnic minority members account for 93.1 percent. The 12th CPPCC Xizang Autonomous Regional Committee has 429 members, of whom 59.91 percent are non-Party members. All 74 counties (districts, cities) have CPPCC organizations, with more than 8,000 CPPCC members, 85 percent of whom are ethnic minorities.

Tibetan citizens serve as chairpersons or vice-chairpersons of the Standing Committee of the People's Congress of the Xizang Autonomous Region, and the chairman of the autonomous region is also a Tibetan citizen. Currently, there are 26 minority cadres at the provincial level and 512 minority cadres at the prefectural and departmental levels in Xizang. The comprehensive implementation of the system of regional ethnic autonomy in Xizang ensures the political rights of all ethnic groups in Xizang to participate equally in the management of local affairs.

Channels for democratic participation are continuously expanding

The comprehensive development of whole-process people's democracy has enabled people of all ethnic groups in Xizang not only to "become masters of their own destiny," but also to "become masters of the country."

On the plateau with an average altitude of 4,000 meters, deputies to the people's congresses have become a key link connecting policy and public opinion. More than 90 percent of voters participate in direct elections at the county and township levels, and 790 "Homes of People's Congress Deputies" and similar platforms have been established as effective channels for the public to express their social conditions and opinions.

The Standing Committee of the People's Congress of the Xizang Autonomous Region has innovatively introduced a citizen observation system, inviting the public to witness the democratic decision-making process "at zero distance." Invited grassroots representatives can participate throughout the entire agenda of meetings of the Standing Committees of the People's Congress at all levels in Xizang, including listening to and reviewing work reports, discussing livelihood projects, and more. This has achieved a shift from "disclosure of results" to "participation in the process," continuously enriching the grassroots practice of whole-process people's democracy.

The People's Congress Working Committee of Gamagongsang Sub-district, Chengguan District, Lhasa, has innovatively introduced a closed-loop "Four-Day" working mechanism. Each month features a "Theory and Policy Study Day," a "Research and Inspection Action Day," a "Public Reception and Case Handling Day," and a "Supervision of Livelihood Projects Day." Since the implementation of this mechanism, the capacity of people's congress deputies to perform their duties has been significantly enhanced, public satisfaction has continued to improve, and it has become a vivid example of modernization in grassroots governance.

Nagqu City has promoted the upgrading of "Homes of People's Congress Deputies" at the county (district) and township levels, with 70 percent of the city's 6,877 five-level People's Congress deputies coming from the grassroots frontline. By establishing grassroots legislative contact points, institutional guarantees are provided for the practice of whole-process people's democracy at the grassroots level.

Democratic practice improves people's well-being

The democratic practice in Xizang ultimately focuses on improving people's livelihood and safeguarding human rights, achieving the unified advancement of political rights, the right to subsistence, and the right to development. The Chinese government insists that improving people's livelihoods and unifying their hearts should be the starting point and goal of Xizang's economic and social development.

Absolute poverty has been historically eliminated. In 2019, all 628,000 registered impoverished people in the region were lifted out of poverty. By 2024, the per capita net income of the population lifted out of poverty in Xizang had increased by more than 12.5 percent year-on-year, maintaining rapid growth for consecutive years.

All livelihood indicators have shown significant improvements. In 2024, the per capita disposable income of Xizang residents exceeded 30,000 yuan ($4185.7); the average life expectancy increased from 68.17 years in 2010 to 72.5 years in 2024, reaching a historic high.

The public service network now covers the entire region. Xizang has established an urban and rural medical service network that covers all levels, achieving the goal of "minor illnesses do not require leaving the township." At the same time, Xizang has taken the lead in the country by implementing 15 years of publicly funded education in both urban and rural areas. It has adopted policies to cover food, accommodation, and basic learning expenses for children from farming, herding, and urban disadvantaged families, to the greatest extent, ensuring the right of students of all ethnic groups to enjoy high-quality education equally.

Protection of cultural rights continues to be strengthened. Since 2012, the central government has invested nearly 5 billion yuan to promote equal access to public cultural services. A total of 46.85 million Tibetan-language books have been published, and a five-tier public cultural facility network has largely taken shape.

The flower of democracy on the plateau

The democratic practice in Xizang proves that China's whole-process people's democracy is by no means an abstract concept, but an institutional arrangement deeply rooted in China with strong vitality. From grassroots elections with a participation rate of over 90 percent to the regular operation of 790 "homes of people's congress deputies"; from governance teams with over 70 percent Tibetan cadres to distinctive legislation with hundreds of local regulations; from 628,000 people lifted out of poverty to the leap in people's livelihood with average life expectancy surpassing 72 years, Xizang has outlined a democratic landscape of "everyone has a vote, everything is open to consultation, every voice can be heard, and supervision is effective" through real data and vivid practice.

On the snowy plateau with an average altitude of 4,000 meters, whole-process people's democracy, with its broad inclusiveness, effective practice, and significant benefits to the people, has become the fundamental way to ensure that people of all ethnic groups are masters of their own affairs. The 60-year development of democratic politics in Xizang demonstrates that only a democratic system grounded in reality, rooted in the people, and responsive to the times can take root and flourish on the fertile soil of the plateau, blossoming into the flowers of human rights and happiness in the new era.

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