The Xizang autonomous region is stepping up efforts to improve living standards and narrow development gaps in border areas, with authorities pledging more proactive fiscal policies after a sharp rise in social spending over the past five years.

During the 14th Five-Year Plan period (2021-25), Xizang channeled more than 1 trillion yuan ($143 billion) into livelihood-related programs, a 45 percent increase from the previous five-year period. Such spending accounted for more than 80 percent of the region's total fiscal outlays, according to figures released at the region's ongoing annual legislative session.

The investment has driven broad changes in rural and frontier communities and laid the groundwork for further expansion of public services, local authorities said.

A significant portion of the funding went to 106 livelihood projects, with total investment reaching 64.5 billion yuan, up 22 percent from the previous planning period, Xizang Daily reported. The projects focus on improving access to housing, utilities and basic services, with an emphasis on fairness and balanced development.

In Xizang's border villages, the impact has been particularly evident. Tilung, a regional political adviser from Zayul county, described what he called "earth-shaking changes" in local communities.

"Every household now lives in a detached home, and every village has electricity, clean water and internet access," he said. He added that improvements in e-commerce and logistics — supported by government freight subsidies during holiday periods — have helped local agricultural products, such as mushrooms, reach wider markets.

"These measures have greatly boosted rural vitalization and driven high-quality development in border areas, effectively accelerating economic integration and growth," he said.

Social welfare coverage has also expanded. More than 1.75 million people have been enrolled in basic pension systems, more than 2.8 million in basic medical insurance, and about 298,300 residents receive minimum livelihood assistance, according to Liu Xue, director of the budget department of the region's finance department.

The region's economic base has strengthened alongside the rise in social spending. Central government fiscal support reached more than 287.5 billion yuan in 2025, while Xizang's GDP in 2025 is expected to exceed 303 billion yuan.

Yin Lifeng, deputy head of the region's finance department, said Xizang will press ahead with more targeted and proactive fiscal policies, focusing on weaker areas while expanding public services.

"Our goal is to ensure people see real change and receive tangible benefits, so that the gains from development are shared more widely," he said.