Xinhua News Agency, Lhasa, April 1 (Reporters Wang Jun and She Yonggang) With China's opening-up and the widespread development of mountaineering, the sport has gradually emerged and grown in Tibet. Especially in recent years, the activity has shifted from challenging human limits to serving economic and social development, and the mountaineering industry has become a new highlight of Tibet's economic development.

　　Tibet is the core area of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, with an average altitude of over 4,000 meters. It is home to five peaks above 8,000 meters, more than 70 peaks above 7,000 meters, and even more above 6,000 meters, offering unique conditions for mountaineering activities.

　　In recent years, Tibet has continuously adapted to the new developments in mountaineering, made beneficial explorations in developing the industry, vigorously expanded the mountaineering market, and improved reception standards, attracting climbers from both home and abroad. Currently, the foundation and momentum for the industrialization of mountaineering have begun to take shape, generating considerable economic and social benefits.

　　According to statistics from the Tibet Mountaineering Association, between 2005 and 2010, Tibet hosted over 600 mountaineering teams from more than 40 countries and regions across the world's five continents, involving nearly 30,000 climbing enthusiasts, and generated over 48 million yuan in revenue for the areas where the mountains are located.

　　As the number of domestic and international climbers visiting Tibet has increased, the region has also stepped up efforts to promote amateur mountaineering. Two climbing festivals are held annually in spring and autumn. So far, nine editions have been successfully organized, and the Yangbajing High-Altitude Training Base and the Himalaya Mountaineering Museum have been established.

　　Nima Tsering, head of the Tibet Mountaineering Team, said that relying on abundant mountain resources and strong professional mountaineering capabilities, Tibet’s mountaineering organizations have developed the Tibet Mountaineering Festival into China’s largest platform for amateur climbers, attracting numerous climbers from around the world every year.

　　In 2011, Tibet actively built new advantages in mountaineering, and the sport continued to develop. During that year, the high-altitude rescue system was increasingly improved, and the Tibet Autonomous Region High-Altitude Rescue Team became China’s first professional high-altitude rescue team. Cooperation was established with the French National School of Mountaineering and Skiing. Assistance was also provided to the State Oceanic Administration in the high-altitude training and selection of members for the 28th Chinese National Antarctic Inland Scientific Expedition. The economic benefits of the mountaineering industry continued to rise, with 98 teams totaling 949 people hosted during the year, generating 6.9 million yuan in revenue for the mountain areas.

　　Deji Zhuoga, head of the Tibet Autonomous Region Sports Bureau, said: “Promoting the transformation of Tibet’s mountaineering activities, vigorously developing mountaineering services, and cultivating the mountaineering industry will be the future direction and trend of mountaineering in Tibet.”

　　Deji Zhuoga stated that in 2012, Tibet will hold a series of events including the 2nd Himalaya International Rock Climbing Invitation Tournament and the 10th Spring and Autumn Mountaineering Festivals to promote and popularize mountaineering culture and foster the development of the mountaineering industry.