Construction completes on world's highest tunnel

"The use of this advanced equipment significantly reduced the number of workers and labor intensity involved, and it significantly improved construction efficiency and safety," Zhou said.

Linking the regional capital Lhasa with the region's southern city of Lhokha, the Lhasa-Tsethang Highway is expected to open to the public by the end of the year, and reduce the travel time between the cities to about one hour from three hours at present.

"It will fundamentally change local transportation, not only greatly improving travel, but also driving the development of tourism, agriculture and animal husbandry along the route," said Zhou.

"It is of great value for promoting the economic and social development of Tibet, and to build the region into a moderately prosperous society in all respects," he added.

Drolma Kelsang, a Tibetan villager who lives along the route, said she is pleased about the tunnel, and looks forward to the opening of the highway.

"It will be convenient for my kids to go to school in Lhasa, and our life will become more convenient," she said.

"It will also help our residents look for more job opportunities, and to sell our local agricultural products to a bigger market."