Businesses and tourism recovering in Lhasa after riots

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Source: CCTV.com | 04-20-2008 13:18

More than a month has gone by since the March 14th riots in Lhasa. With peace and order returning to the region, many merchants say they hope tourism, too, will get back to normal soon.

More than a month has gone by since the March 14th riots in Lhasa. With peace and order returning to  the region, many merchants say they hope tourism, too, will get back to normal soon.

Beijing East Road was the area most affected by the riots. Now the road is being rebuilt, and many shops have reopened for business. But the majority of customers are local residents.

A backpacker from Shanghai said Lhasa looks the same as it was before the riots. Everything there is normal.

Shanghai Visitor, said"Compared to the past, there are no differences. All the Tibetan people I've met are nice to me."

Tang Lianhua, a local businesswoman, has been selling accessories for less than a year. Her store was burned down to the ground during the riots. But she said the government has compensated for her losses, including tax relief.

According to government policy, all stores damaged by the riots are entitled to a subsidy of 260 yuan per month.

Tang Lianhua, Businesswoman , Lhasa, said, "All the stores affected by the riots will get interest-free loans, just as mine did. My two stores will continue to operate here."

Another businessman, Guo Liangquan, has been in business in Lhasa for ten years. He said although his business is not as good as it used to be, he is confident that it will pick up again once the local tourism industry fully recovers.

Editor:Yang Jie