FAW Group's aid efforts propel poverty alleviation in Xizang

Since 2002, China FAW Group in Changchun, Jilin province, has sent eight batches of aid cadres to Zogang county and Markham county of Chamdo city in the Xizang autonomous region. They have also invested 274 million yuan ($38.54 million) and implemented over 140 projects in areas such as livelihood security and industrial development.

The group's efforts have helped the two counties win the battle against poverty, comprehensively promoted rural revitalization, and contributed to the local economic and social development.

Located in the southeastern part of Chamdo, most areas of Zogang are characterized by high mountains and deep valleys.

"More than twenty years ago, our school was just temporary with only a few dilapidated houses," said Luo Bu, the principal of the FAW Hope Primary School in Tiantuo township. "Due to inconvenient transportation, scattered living conditions, and inadequate awareness of education, the school at that time had only a dozen students, who often dropped out for various reasons."

"Students often faced dangers due to the long and treacherous journey over mountains," he added.

From the beginning of the aid to Xizang, FAW Group has prioritized improving people's livelihoods, especially focusing on education.

Over the past twenty years, the group has invested 19.78 million yuan to build the school, which has developed into a comprehensive campus providing education, meals and accommodation.

It has become a model school for achieving balanced development in Zogang's education system.

The local primary school enrollment rate has increased from 30 percent to 99, and the transition rate from primary to secondary school has risen from 50 percent to 100.

To support Xizang students in pursuing further education, FAW Group has invested 4.45 million yuan to sponsor over 4,100 students from Zogang who have been admitted to colleges and universities.

In recent years, FAW Group has focused on meeting the needs and expectations of farmers and herders, investing over 150 million yuan in key areas such as food, clothing, shelter, transportation, education and healthcare, benefiting more than 50,000 people directly.

The group has also leveraged its advantages in the automotive industry, investing 5.62 million yuan to implement a vehicle purchase subsidy program for farmers and herders.

The group also established an automobile maintenance service company to provide more job opportunities to locals.

Additionally, they have organized consumer assistance and sales promotion activities to help local specialty products enter the domestic and foreign markets.

In addition to sending cadres to work in Xizang, the group received 54 cadres from Chamdo for exchange and learning, designing customized courses and positions based on the needs of different professions.

The group conducted job rotations in different scenarios, such as enterprises and government, to help enhance their abilities and enrich their workplace experiences.

They have also organized special job fairs in Xizang, creating favorable conditions for Xizang graduates to find employment outside the region.

Leveraging its advantages in the automotive industry, FAW Group provided job opportunities for 289 people.