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Potala Palace is lit up at night as people visit Potala Palace Square on June 16, 2023 in Lhasa, Tibet Autonomous Region, China. Chinas government says it has invested heavily in infrastructure, education, employment, health care and a regional tourism industry to develop Tibets economy. However, critics believe the scale of development is coming at an irreversible cost to culture and the environment on the Tibetan plateau by eroding traditional Tibetan religion, language, and culture. Chinese officials argue their development policies have helped to alleviate poverty and boost prosperity without diminishing religious and cultural freedoms or environmental protection. Foreign journalists are normally not permitted to travel to the autonomous region without a special permit and some were recently taken on a visit organized by local and state level officials to coincide with the 5th China Xizang Tourism and Culture Expo, the first since 2019 after the country ended its zero COVID policy late last year. (Photo by Kevin Frayer/Getty Images)
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