Chinese Tibetologists introduce Tibet development in Helsinki
19/11/2008 16:41
A delegation of Chinese Tibetologists yesterday briefed their Finnish
hosts on Tibet's history and its social and economic developments.
The
delegation, led by Zhu Xiaoming, deputy director-general of China's Tibetology
Research Center, held separate meetings with Finnish politicians, media members,
and representatives for overseas Chinese and Chinese students in
Finland.
During a meeting with lawmakers, the Chinese Tibetologists cited
data and examples to illuminate the point that Tibet has been part of China
throughout history.
They also gave an account of social and economic
developments in Tibet, the true story of the March 14 riot in the Tibetan
capital Lhasa, as well as the Chinese government's negotiations with the Dalai
Lama in recent years.
Over the past decades, the average life span of
Tibetans has increased from 35.5 to 61 years, nine-year compulsory education has
been accessible to over 90 percent of Tibet's school-aged children, and the per
capita GNP has exceeded 10,000 yuan (about US$1,470), said Zhu, adding all those
are facts that Tibetans are living a life which is unimaginable under the serf
system.
On negotiations between the Chinese central government and the Dalai
Lama's representatives, Zhu said government officials and the Dalai Lama's
private envoys have held nine rounds of talks since 2002.
The door for the
Dalai Lama's return to a patriotic stance is always open, but the door to "Tibet
independence," "half independence" or "independence in a disguised form" has
never been open, nor would it be open in the future, Zhu said.
Finnish
Congressman Ilkka Kantola welcomed the Chinese scholars' introduction on Tibet
and hoped Finland and China can enhance exchanges to give Finnish people more
chances to know China.
Also yesterday, Zhu met with representatives from
Finland's major media and answered questions concerning Tibet. He also exchanged
views on Tibet with overseas Chinese and Chinese students.
The Chinese
delegation arrived in Finland on Monday.
Xinhua
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