STORY: School heating project benefits students in China's Xizang
SHOOTING TIME: Nov. 6/Nov. 10, 2023
DATELINE: Nov. 17, 2023
LENGTH: 00:02:04
LOCATION: LHASA, China
CATEGORY: SOCIETY/EDUCATION

SHOTLIST:
1. various of China's Xizang Autonomous Region
2. various of students in classrooms in Xizang
3. SOUNDBITE 1 (Chinese): LHAPA TSERING, Headmaster of a primary school in Lhasa
4. SOUNDBITE 2 (Chinese): YESHE CHOTSO, Student, Ngari-Shaanxi Experimental School
5. various of heating system in Ngari-Shaanxi Experimental School
6. SOUNDBITE 3 (Chinese): NYIMA SANGMO, Vice-principal, Ngari-Shaanxi Experimental School

STORYLINE:

Schools in southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region have embraced a warm winter thanks to a government-funded heating project. 

The project is part of an effort to improve the infrastructure of schools and guarantee the well-being of students and teachers.

SOUNDBITE 1 (Chinese): LHAPA TSERING, Headmaster of a primary school in Lhasa
"Our school activated the heating system this week. We really appreciate such projects that bring benefits to the people, allowing our students to study and live in warm classrooms and dormitories."

The project has covered all schools in the region, whether those in the regional capital or those in remote areas.

Ngari Prefecture is known for its high average altitude of 4,500 meters. The lowest temperature here can plummet to minus 30 degrees Celsius.

In Ngari-Shaanxi Experimental School, all the 46 classrooms are connected to a central heating system, and the room temperature is kept at 20 degrees Celsius.

SOUNDBITE 2 (Chinese): YESHE CHOTSO, Student, Ngari-Shaanxi Experimental School
"Before we had the heating system, it was so cold in the classroom that our hands were numb and we couldn't even write. Now, we feel so warm. My parents no longer worry about how I'm doing at school. They no longer worry about me getting sick or catching a cold."

The heating project is also environment friendly.

SOUNDBITE 3 (Chinese): NYIMA SANGMO, Vice-principal, Ngari-Shaanxi Experimental School
"We have water heating and electric heating. Since 2022, the school's heating system has been upgraded with funding from the government. Teachers and students have been able to enjoy the benefits of clean energy for heating, which was upgraded from the traditional way of burning coals. Whether it's day or night, the room temperature is comfortable."

In recent years, Xizang has invested 3.085 billion yuan (about 424 million U.S. dollars) in the heating project, benefiting 270,000 students.

Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Lhasa, China.
(XHTV)