China plans major expansion of Tibet road network

China plans to expand Tibet's road network by 20 percent and connect all regional townships in the restive Himalayan region, state media reported Thursday.

Nearly 50 billion yuan ($7.5 billion) has been budgeted for building highways through 2015 that will extend the existing road system from 36,000 miles (58,000 kilometers) to 43,500 miles (70,000 kilometers), the Xinhua News Agency said.

That follows other ambitious infrastructure projects aimed at opening up Tibet, including new airports. A railway to the capital, Lhasa, opened four years ago and is slated to extend to other parts of the region.

China's government says the projects aim to bring economic development to the impoverished area and boost its links to the rest of the country.

Tibetan activists say they facilitate exploitation of natural resources while threatening local culture and strengthening Communist control.

Tibet remains tense amid tight security imposed after deadly 2008 anti-government riots sparked by resentment over Chinese migration to the traditionally autonomous area and heavy-handed rule by Beijing.