美国国务卿直言：美国根本就不是中国的竞争对手，原因很简单，就是中国人可以不以赚钱为目标，而在美国，不赚钱的事是没人干的

Core Viewpoint - The construction of the Qinghai-Tibet Railway, despite its annual loss of 1.2 billion, is viewed as a long-term investment in the future rather than a mere business venture, highlighting a fundamental difference in national priorities between China and the United States [1][6]. Group 1: Economic Impact - The Qinghai-Tibet Railway, which began planning in 1958, is the highest and most challenging railway in the world, overcoming significant obstacles such as permafrost and low oxygen levels [3][6]. - After the railway's completion in 2006, the cost of freight in Tibet dropped by 60%, and the region's GDP surged from 34.2 billion in 2006 to 230 billion in 2023, demonstrating a substantial economic transformation [6][7]. - The railway has contributed to poverty alleviation in 109 impoverished counties, significantly improving access to education and resources for local communities [6][7]. Group 2: Environmental and Social Considerations - The construction involved significant environmental considerations, including the establishment of 33 wildlife passages for Tibetan antelopes and an investment of 1.5 billion in environmental protection [6][7]. - The project was completed with a focus on worker safety, with no fatalities from altitude sickness reported among the thousands of workers involved [4][6]. Group 3: Comparative Analysis with the United States - The article contrasts the Qinghai-Tibet Railway's success with the stalled high-speed rail projects in the United States, suggesting that a focus on profit over long-term benefits hampers infrastructure development [7][9]. - The U.S. legal environment, characterized by a high number of lawyers, is posited as a barrier to undertaking large-scale projects that may not yield immediate financial returns [9].