China will publish its first encyclopedia about Lhasa, capital of southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region, said the editorial staff at the final proofreading meeting in Lhasa on July 17.

The book entitled "Tibet Encyclopedia--Lhasa" will be published this year as an Aid-Tibet cultural project by Beijing News & Publishing Bureau.

The book has been compiled after nearly 8 years' efforts by Tibet People's Publishing House and Beijing Joint Publishing Co.,Ltd.

As one of China's 5 ethnic autonomous regional capitals, Lhasa is the political, economic and cultural center of Tibet, and has gained remarkable changes and achievements in economy and culture since Tibet's peaceful liberation in 1951, especially after the reform and opening up was carried out in 1978.

The "Tibet Encyclopedia" provides a reference for the Lhasa volume, which will become the first of a series of Tibet regional encyclopedias.

"The encyclopedia comprehensively reflects the overall development of Lhasa, which is a significant cultural project in China," said Liu Li, director of Beijing editorial department of the book.

The encyclopedia covers topics including history, environment and geography, districts and toponym, administration and society, economy, science, education, culture, sports, cultural relics and historical sites and other information of Lhasa.

The book offers all kinds of knowledge through the combination of text and picture, making it easier for readers to understand Lhasa better.

The book will also add new entries to introduce the information which appears along with the fast-paced economic and social development of Lhasa.