CRI听力：Inner Mongolia Celebrates its 60th Anniversary

Established in 1947, the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region is China's first provincial-level ethnic autonomous region. In the early days of its establishment, most people made a living by farming and life was difficult.

Thanks to the support from the central government of China, the autonomous region, which has a population of over 23 million, has experienced rapid development in the past six decades.

Born and raised in Inner Mongolia, 92-year-old Keligeng said he has witnessed tremendous changes.

"In the past, when talking about the economy of Inner Mongolia, we could only think of handicraft workshops or our livestock, like camel, cattle, horse and sheep. Nowadays, our GDP has grown to hundreds of millions of yuan. That's a great difference."

Statistics show in 2006, the total production value of Inner Mongolia reached nearly 480 billion yuan, or 64 billion US dollars. This figure is almost 200 times of that in 1947.

While its economy has realized rapid growth, Inner Mongolia has also seen progress in the education sector.

From pre-school to high education, from compulsory to adult education, Inner Mongolia now enjoys a comparatively sound education system with distinctive local features.

Today, there are more than 1,000 primary and middle schools as well as 21 high education colleges in Inner Mongolia.

No matter from economic or social development, the people of Inner Mongolia have become the biggest beneficiary.

The chairman of Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, Yang Jing elaborates.

"Last year, the annual salary of citizens in urban and rural areas exceeded 10,000 Yuan and 3,300 Yuan respectively, or 1,300 US dollars and 436 US dollars. During the 10th five-year plan period, which is from 2001 to 2005, some 900,000 herdsmen got out of poverty and more than 400,000 families received subsidies and aid."

Moreover, the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region has attached growing importance to the protection of its environment, which has, therefore, benefited its pastures.

Dan Dan, CRI news.