Industry

2004-03-01 18:00

General Introduction Modern industry first began in Tibet in the late 1950s, with the appearance of more than ten new fields of production, including electric power, mining, wool spinning, forestry, food processing, printing, building materials and machine processing. Today there are more than 260 medium- and small-scale state-owned enterprises employing 51,000 workers. In the mid-1950s an attempt was made to remedy the power shortfalls resulting from Tibet's lack of coal and oil with the construction of the region's first publicly owned electric enterprise, the Lhasa Power Plant Subsequently, the state invested m building the nation's largest megawatt-class geothermal power plant at Yangbajain.

More recently work has begun on the Yamzhoyum Co and Chalong power plants, with equip ment already being installed in the former. In 1994 Tibet had a generating capacity of 140,000 kW, generating 430 million kwh annually. Tibet mines 75,000 tons of chromite, 1,500 tons of tinkalite and 16,0 0 tons of boromagnesite every year The chromite mines now under construction at Luobusha and Shannan will soon go into production. Light Industry and Textiles Development of animal husbandry in Tibet over the last 40-odd years have spurred attendant growth in textile production and other light industry.

Consuming more than 1,250 tons of raw wool every year, the 2,290-spindle Nyingchi Woolen Mill is the region's textile leader It produces more than 100 varieties of woolen fabrics, knitting wools and carpets In addition to that going to satisfy Iocal demand, some production is sold elsewhere in China and a portion exported Leather production is an industry particularly characteristic of Tibet, with tanyards found in Nagqu, Xigaze, Qamdo, Ngari and Lhasa, producing more than 50 types of products, including heavy leather, light leather, fur coats, leather clothing, leather shoes and horse gear.

In 1988, the Lhasa Tanyard, with assistance from the Federal Republic of Germany government, invested 13 million marks m imported equipment, technological transformation and expansion. It can process 60,000 hides annually, producing 40,000 pairs of leather shoes and 10,000 other leather articles. The quality of the beer produced by the Lhasa Brewery has improved steadily since the initiation of reforms designed to install a modern enterprise system.

The product was awarded the title "Established Star Quality Chinese Beer for 1994." Local Handicrafts The government of the Tibet Autonomous Region stresses development of local traditional handicrafts. In 1994 this industry, producing more than 2,000 products, generated 50 million yuan in total output value. The industry is currently divided into more than 30 specialties. Radian carpets, other carpets, pull woolen fabric, aprons, Tibetan quilts, Tibetan clothing, Tibetan shoes and hats, Tibetan furniture, wooden bowls, gold and silver jewelry among other handicrafts are considered particulary significant because, in addition to serving the particular needs of the local people, they are snapped up by tourists as souvenirs.

Pulu woolens, found most commonly in Shannan (the region south of Lhasa), Xigaze and Lhasa itself, are widely produced in Tibetan households. Carpetmaking is a traditional Tibetan craft. Smaller carpets used to cover the bed, still produced m the old patterns, are called kadian. Gyangze has long been famous both in and outside of China for its kadian, with their singular weaving technique and bright colours.

The Lhasa Carpet Factory and Gyangze Kadian Factory are joined by countless small village enterprises producing kadian all over the plateau. The short sword or kn fe suspended from the belts of many Tibetans is worn ornamentally, but is also used for self-defense, in work and elsewhere in daily Iife Major producers of this domestically and internationally well-received product can be found in Lhasa, Lhaze, Damxung and Yi'ong.

Tibetan hats come in various types, most famously the finely made "gold flower cap," produced mainly in Lhasa and Xigaze Made in different styles for men and women, the hats are quite popular in both the city and the countryside.