The transport system in southwest China's Tibet is expected to be greatly improved, with the construction of some 1,700 kilometers of highways over the next few years.

    According to the region's development plan, the total length of highways in the area will be 27,000 kilometers in five years.

    Ninety seven percent of Tibet's townships and 74 percent of its villages will have access to gravel roads.

    Tibet is now the only region in China which has no railways. Highways transport 80 percent of the cargo entering and leaving Tibet.