Lhasa stable, recovering from riot, says mayor

Doje noted that the city has taken a series of measures to restore normal economical and social order, including reinforcing social public security and promoting tourism by tax cut and tax exemption policies.

He is optimistic about the city's economic development this year, even though the riots and the global economic downturn have caused an immediate or indirect impact on the city.

Because of the unique geographic condition and industrial structure in Tibet, the overall economic growth of Lhasa still shows a favorable trend, though impact of the international financial crisis is being felt across China, the mayor said.

He admitted, however, the global crisis did contribute to the city's six-percentage-point drop of gross domestic production (GDP) in 2008 from the previous year.

"We will strive to ensure economic growth, people's well-being and social stability this year," said the mayor, expressing confidence on maintaining a 13-percent economic growth rate in 2009.

Editor:Liu Anqi