Top: File photo taken in 1997 by Chogo shows a pregnant woman receiving physical examination in Xigaze, southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region. Bottom: Photo taken on May 15, 2017 by Jigme Dorge shows a doctor operating an MRI machine in Lhasa of Tibet. The average life expectancy of people in Tibet has risen to 70.6 years, nearly double the figure of 35.5 years in 1959. There are now 1,548 health facilities providing 19,787 beds in Tibet, with nearly 20,000 health and medical workers. In 1949 when the People's Republic of China was founded, the Chinese people faced a devastated country that needed to be rebuilt from scratch after decades of warfare and chaos. After decades of unremitting endeavors and dedication by the Chinese people, China has grown to be the world's second largest economy. In 1952, China's GDP was 30 billion U.S. dollars, while in 2018, its GDP reached 13.61 trillion U.S. dollars, an increase of 452.6 times. A group of combo photos give you a glimpse of what Chinese people did decades ago and what they do right now. Undoubtedly, people from all walks of life in China with hard work and wisdom have made contributions to the country's development. (Xinhua)
