Chinese President Jiang Zemin and Vice President Hu Jintao toured different places in Amdo (in present-day Qinghai and Sichuan provinces) in northeastern Tibet in May, 2002.
Hu Jintao visited Chabcha, Golmud and Xining and met regional leaders between May 22 and 27, 2002. President Jiang Zemin visited Tibetan areas in Ngapa in present-day Sichuan from May 18 to 21, 2002.
During the inspection tour, Jiang visited research institutes, universities, enterprises and villages in Chengdu, the provincial capital, Ya’an City and the Aba Tibetan and Qiang Autonomous Prefecture, Xinhua said on May 22. Jiang was accompanied by Zeng Qinghong. Xinhua released a photo showing Jiang with some Tibetans in Ngapa.
Hu Jintao toured grassland pastures, farm fields, construction sites, factory workshops, and rural and urban households, according to a Xinhua report dated May 27, 2002.
During their trip, both Jiang and Hu highlighted China’s Western Development program.
“The implementation of the Western Development Strategy has brought unprecedented opportunities and a strong impetus for development in China’s western regions,” Hu was quoted by Xinhua as telling the Tibetans there. “They should grasp the opportunities and lead the local people to push local social and economic development to a new height,” he added.