The newly-appointed top official of Tibet has won applause for saying people's livelihoods have been his top priority during his entire political life in the autonomous region.

Named Party chief of the Tibet autonomous region by the Communist Party of China Central Committee on Sunday, Wu Yingjie, 59, is the first person to hold the position after spending his whole political career in the region.

Since 1974, Wu, who was born in Shandong province, has worked on livestock farms, at power plants, in education and for the government and Party Committee in Tibet.

"Since I was young, I have lived, worked and grown up in Tibet. I was brought up by the Party, the people, the Tibetan Plateau and all the ethnic groups of Tibet," he was quoted as saying by Tibet Daily.

"Tibet is my second home. I think of myself as a local Tibetan," he said. "I deeply love the land and the hardworking people here."

The 59-year-old Wu said he has experienced hardships and enjoyed the happiness of success with the people of Tibet.

"In my new position, I will continue to serve the more than 3 million people of Tibet. I know it is a glorious mission, but I do not think it will be easy," he said.

Huang Keqing, the supervisory board chairman of Tibet's State-owned Assets Management Company, said she was pleased with Wu's promotion.

"He knows Tibet well," she said. "I constantly see him on TV making trips to remote places, and I think he is especially concerned about the residents in remote areas and vulnerable groups."

She described him as being "approachable".

After Wu began working on Tibet's Regional Education Committee in 1983, he spent almost two decades in the education sector.

Dorjee Dradul, an editor and translator at the region's teaching materials compilation center, said Wu made great contributions to Tibet's educational development.

"He has a heart for Tibet. He has done much for the compulsory education system and for illiterate young adults."

He was instrumental, Dorjee Dradul said, in implementing tuition-free schools, with paid living costs and allowances.

Contact the writers at palden_nyima@chinadaily.com.cn?