On November 19-20, 2025, the Second Tibetan Plateau Scientific Expedition Comprehensive Integration and Application Results Release Conference was held in Lhasa. During the morning session, the expedition team leader released the Ten Major Comprehensive Integration Application Achievements of the Second Tibetan Plateau Scientific Expedition and systematically elaborated on new understandings regarding environmental transformation of the Tibetan Plateau.

These ten major application achievements include:

1. Providing comprehensive scientific support for ecological protection legislation of the Tibetan Plateau, offering legal safeguards for the protection of the Tibetan Plateau ecological barrier;

2. Establishing an Earth system comprehensive observation and early warning platform to serve major engineering projects and cross-border disaster prevention and control;

3. Proposing construction plans for the Tibetan Plateau National Park Cluster and optimization of the natural protected area system, scientifically supporting the establishment of national parks such as Qiangtang and Three-River-Source;

4. Assessing the positive outcomes of major ecological engineering projects on the Tibetan Plateau, strengthening the ecological security barrier;

5. Proposing optimal ecological protection and disaster avoidance solutions for the Sichuan-Tibet Railway, ensuring safety of major transportation projects;

6. Innovating disaster prevention technologies in permafrost regions, supporting construction of the Tibet Expressway;

7. Assessing ice-water-sediment disaster risks in the Yarlung Tsangpo River basin, serving major hydropower project construction;

8. Achieving breakthroughs in understanding current status and prospects of lithium, potassium, oil, gas and other mineral resources, supporting strategic resource and energy reserve base construction on the Tibetan Plateau;

9. The Tibetan Plateau greenhouse gas scientific monitoring network and “Gongga” system continuously providing China’s independent systems and data for carbon accounting, serving dual carbon goals and climate change response;

10. Proposing new development models for border area strengthening, consolidation and revitalization, providing technological support for national security barrier construction.

Regarding new understandings of environmental transformation on the Tibetan Plateau, it was introduced: The Second Tibetan Plateau Scientific Expedition discovered that the Tibetan Plateau has undergone three environmental transformations, marking the first time Chinese scientists have proposed the “Third Environmental Transformation” of the Tibetan Plateau.

First Environmental Transformation:

Mountain-sea overturning and differential uplift drove monsoon northward advancement and warm, moist marine air transport, triggering the first environmental transformation. 41 million years ago, monsoons first intensified and moved northward, with subtropical monsoons prevailing; 26 million years ago, the main body of the modern Tibetan Plateau formed, establishing modern monsoon patterns. This drove rapid biodiversity evolution, making the region a center for species origin, differentiation and dispersal. The Himalayan lithium-beryllium rare metal metallogenic belt formed.

Second Environmental Transformation:

Northern plateau uplift and formation of the modern Tibetan Plateau established cold-arid conditions and three-polar linkage patterns,促成促成促成促成促成促成促成促成促成促成促成促成促成促成促成促成促成促成促成促成促成促成促成促成促成促成促成促成促成促成促成促成促成促成促成促成促成促成促成促成促成促成促成促成促成促成促成促成促成促成促成促成促成促成促成促成促成促成促成促成促成促成促成促成促成促成促成促成促成促成促成促成促成促成促成促成促成促成促成促成促成促成促成促成促成促成促成促成促成促成促成促成促成促成促成促成促成促成促成促成促成促成促成促成促成促成促成促成促成促成促成促成促成促成促成促成促成促成促成促成促成促成促成促成促成促成促成促成促成促成促成促成促成促成促成促成促成促成促成促成促成促成促成促成促成促成促成促成促成促成促成促成促成促成促成促成促成促成促成促成促成促成促成促成促成促成促成促成促成促成促成促成促成促成促成促成促成促成促成促成促成促成促成促成促成促成促成促成促成促成促成促成促成促成促成促成促成促成促成促成促成促成促成促成促成促成促成促成促成促成促成促成促成促成促成促成促成促成促成促成促成促成促成促成促成促成促成促成促成促成促成促成促成促成促成促成促成促成促成促成促成促成促成促成促成促成促成促成促成促成促成促成促成促成促成促成促成促成促成促成促成促成促成促成促成促成促成促成促成促成促成促成促成促成促成促成促成促成促成促成促成促成促成促成促成促成

Тибетское нагорье

The Tibetan Plateau, often called the “Roof of the World,” is a vast, high-altitude region in Central Asia. Historically, it has been the homeland of the Tibetan people and the center of Tibetan Buddhism for centuries. It is renowned for its unique ecosystems and its spiritual and political significance.

Лхаса

Lhasa is the historic capital of Tibet and a deeply sacred city in Tibetan Buddhism. It is most famous for the Potala Palace, a monumental fortress and former winter residence of the Dalai Lamas, and the Jokhang Temple, its holiest shrine. For centuries, it has been the religious and political heart of the Tibetan world.

Цангпо

Tsangpo is the Tibetan name for the upper course of the Brahmaputra River, which flows across the Tibetan Plateau. It is a river of great cultural and religious significance in Tibetan Buddhism, revered as a sacred entity. For centuries, the river’s remote and formidable Tsangpo Gorge, one of the deepest in the world, presented a major geographical challenge and was one of the last unexplored areas on Earth.

Циангтанг

I am unable to identify a specific place or cultural site named “Циангтанг.” This term appears to be a transliteration, possibly referring to the **Qiangtang** (also spelled Changtang), which is a vast high-altitude plateau in northern Tibet. It is a remote and ecologically significant grassland, historically inhabited by nomadic herders, and is known for its harsh climate and unique wildlife, including the Tibetan antelope.

Трехречье

“Трехречье” (Three Rivers Region) is a historical and geographical area in northern China’s Inner Mongolia, traditionally known as a homeland for ethnic Russian Old Believers and Cossacks who settled there in the early 20th century. It is located at the confluence of the Derbul, Khaul, and Gan Rivers. The region’s unique cultural identity was largely dispersed following political changes and the departure of many of its Russian inhabitants after the 1949 Chinese Revolution.

Сино-Тибетская железная дорога

The Sino-Tibetan Railway, also known as the Qinghai–Tibet Railway, is a high-altitude railway connecting Xining in Qinghai Province to Lhasa in Tibet. Its most challenging section, completed in 2006, crosses the permafrost of the Tibetan Plateau, making it the world’s highest railway. The project was a major engineering feat that fulfilled a long-standing goal to connect Tibet directly with the rest of China by rail.

Гималаи

The Himalayas are a vast mountain range in Asia, separating the plains of the Indian subcontinent from the Tibetan Plateau. Formed by the tectonic collision of the Indian and Eurasian plates over 50 million years ago, they are geologically young and continue to rise today. The range is also a deeply significant spiritual and cultural center, being the source of major rivers and home to sacred sites in religions like Hinduism and Buddhism.

Гонгга

Gongga, also known as Minya Konka, is the highest mountain in Sichuan, China, reaching 7,556 meters. It is a sacred peak in Tibetan Buddhism and has a challenging climbing history, with its first successful ascent recorded in 1932. The region is renowned for its stunning glaciers and diverse ecosystems.