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Compulsory and Free-of-Charge Education
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Foreign Tibetan living in India or Nepal
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Difference between Genuine and Foreign Tibetans
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Video: Tibetan language education thriving in Tibet.
Video: Tibetan remains principal tongue in Tibet.
Video: Improving standards in Tibet .
Tibet University and Preservation of Tibetan culture
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"Nonviolence" in the mouth of "Dalai Lama"
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Modern media methods promote Tibetan language
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Tibet popularizes compulsory and free-of-charge education
http://en.tibet.cn/news/phn/pnt/t20071122_288483.htm
November 22, 2007
Photo from Xinhua on November 21 shows that students are attending their geography class.
Photo from Xinhua on November 21 shows that Tsering Dekyi (L) is giving guidance(using printed Tibetan language books) to a student.
Photo from Xinhua on November 21 shows that students are playing on the playground during the break.
With the steady improvement of the conditions for running schools, Tibet's compulsory education is taking off in recent years. By far, 74 counties have realized the 6-year compulsory education in all-round way and the 9-year compulsory education has covered 90.2 per cent of the population.
Tibet's education investment reaches 22 billion since China's reform
2008-12-28 14:00:00
The central government's investment for education in Tibet Autonomous Region, southwestern China, is on the increase ever since China's reform and opening-up. Education investment in Tibet since 1978 has reached more than 22 billion yuan and a total of 2.728 billion yuan has already been allocated in the first 9 months this year.
The government's financial support guarantees the people's right of receiving education, said Yu Xiangqin, head of the Basic Education Office of Tibet Education Department.
Since 1985, free food, clothing and accommodation have been provided for rural Tibetan students in Tibetan primary and middle schools, and the standard is keeping increasing.
Condition for primary and middle schools also represent a great improvement from experimental equipment, library capacity to desks and chairs.
Education of Tibet is heading to the best period in the history, said Yu Xiangqin.
Statistics indicates enrollment rate for school-age primary and middle school students have respectively risen to 98.5% and 92.2%, 7 and 31 percentage higher than that of five years ago, and the enrollment rate in senior high school has also increased from 5.3% in 1978 to current 51.2%.
http://eng.tibet.cn/index/news/200812/t20081228_445408.htm
Compulsory education benefits more children in Tibet
by:Sophia Zhang 2007-10-21 12:35:12
http://en.tibet.cn/news/tin/t20071021_284711.htm
A teacher from Darze County of Lhasa is tutoring a student in Grade Five to study English, photo from chinatibetnews.
Since the 16th Party Congress, Tibet has started to popularize the nine-year compulsory education to benefit more and more children from farming and pasturing areas.
Historical leap achieved in education of TAR
2008-12-05 11:23:00
Pupils are doing their homework in the classroom of Baiding primary school in Chengguan District of Lhasa, photo from tibetdaily.
Since reform and opening up, population coverage rate of "Six Years Compulsory Education" reaches 100%, children accept, population coverage rate of "Nine Years Compulsory Education" is up to 96%, and the enrollment rate of primary school-age children also reaches 98.5%.
The figures show that historical leap has been achieved in education of TAR.
http://eng.tibet.cn/index/news/200812/t20081205_441633.htm
About 48 mln invested for education in Chengguan District
2008-12-12 14:53:00
Education investment in Chengguan District has amounted to 47.6559 million yuan during the "10th Five Year Plan" period, for carrying on reforms to develop pre-school education, compulsory education, vocational education and adult education.
Projects of campus expansion and teachers' training are the focus of education reform in Chengguan District. Up to now, all the schools of Chenguan district own computer classrooms and devices for long-distance education. Besides, 2 primary schools have built up their own campus network.
Last year, the local government had invested 10 million yuan to set up a county-level teachers training center, arranged teachers to other provinces for further study and resolve the housing problems for teachers.
Every year 1 million yuan special funds to promote study will be allocated to help students finish high school and college lessons. In 2007, government had sponsored 550,000 yuan for 175 needy students. Free education policy helps more and more needy students return to schools in Chengguan District.
http://eng.tibet.cn/news/today/200812/t20081212_442777.htm
Allowance policy benefits students in Deqen
2008-10-10 10:17:00
The enrollment rate of Tibetan children has reached to 98%, with the development of local development. Since 2007, there are 50,000 children benefiting from the living allowance policy for the children of farmers and herdsmen in Tibetan Plateau.
Students of Tibetan high school are performing folk dance after class in Deqen, the Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture of Yunnan Province, photo from Xinhua agency.
Dbyangscan Drolma, the student of Tibetan high school in Deqen Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, is having the computer lesson, photo from Xinhua agency.
http://eng.tibet.cn/index/photo/200810/t20081010_431617.htm
Young Foreign Tibetans stop being used by USA
You deserve high standard free-of-charge Education
Say NO! to Dalai Lama and Tibetan Youth Congress
Destiny of Dalai Lama is desperate hopelessness
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Teachers serve Tibet
http://en.tibet.cn/news/tin/t20071122_288473.htm
by:Mirenda Wu 2007-11-22 13:45:53
Sgrol Dkar, a teacher from Yi'ong Villlage Primary School of Bome County is tutoring her student.
In recent years, a large number of teachers are devoting themselves to Tibet's education cause.
Huge changes of Namling No.1 middle school in 10 years
2008-12-08 11:28:00
Slogan hanging in front of the gate of No.1 middle school in Namling County, photo from CTIC.
Teaching Building of No.1 middle school in Namling County, photo from CTIC.
The old look of No.1 middle school in Namling County.
A corner of No.1 middle school in Namling County, photo from CTIC.
The former playground of No.1 middle school in Namling County.
"In 1996, there were 12 adobe classrooms with 500 students in this school. Up to now, a morden 5-floor school with 52 classrooms containing 2,893 students and teachers has been built up. The size of No.1 middle school is enlarging 5 times in 10 years," Nyedon, vice headmaster of Namling No.1 middle school said proudly.
Namling No.1 middle school founded in 1977 has a huge development in last 30 years since the reform and opening up. At the beginning, the middle school only recruited one class per year. In 2003, the total number of students had been up to 4,000 with the support from governments. In 2005, the school was named as Namling No.1 middle school officially. At present, there are 74 Tibetan teachers, 48 Han teachers, 1 Hui teacher and 1 Buyi teacher. Among the 124 full-time teachers, 68 have the bachelor degrees and other 56 teachers have accepted the special education.
There is a slogan, "To help the children achieve their dream aims with love", hanging in front of the gate of No.1 middle school. Nyedon said this was the motto for every teacher in No.1 middle school. During vocations, the teachers always went to the pastoral areas showing some performances to announce the importance of receiving education for children. It was them who help more children have the chance to study in school and achieve their dreams.
The teaching quality is keeping pace with the consolidation of enrollment year by year. From 1997 to 2003, the exam results of graduating from junior high school among the 19 junior middle schools in TAR had been ranking the first in four consecutive years. More and more qualified students would like to make contributions to their hometowns after graduations.
Kelzang Wongmu, a Tibetan teacher said:"I have been teaching for 6 years and find that using softwares or other modern teaching methods is more helpful and useful for students to learn. "
From 1952 to 2007, the government had invested 22.562 billion yuan to develop the education in TAR. In 2001, the school had only one computer and then in 2007, there were 70 computers available for students and teachers. Besides, Shandong Province always sent experienced teachers to TAR for improving teaching skills of Tibetan teachers. Up to now, more than 7,000 teachers have been sent to help the development of education in TAR.
The changes of Namling No.1 middle school witnesses the development of education in TAR.
Tibetan teachers are preparing for the lessons together, photo from CTIC.
School newspapers made by Tibetan students are on show, photo from CTIC.
Tibetan teachers are having the computer training lesson.
No.1 middle school is enrolling students in pastoral areas.
http://eng.tibet.cn/index/sports/200812/t20081211_442541.htm
Tibet: Children have fun in winter
2008-12-15 13:26:00
A Tibetan kid in Jieba Village of Lhoka Prefecture is skating, photo by Phurbu Tashi from Xinhua, December 14.
Children in Jieba Village of Lhoka Prefecture are skating, photo by Phurbu Tashi from Xinhua, December 14.
As it has come into village, children in the Tibet Autonomous Region prefer skating on ice with self-made tools to enjoy their childhood.
http://eng.tibet.cn/index/news/200812/t20081215_443267.htm
Nearly 30 million RMB invested for children's welfare center
2008-11-17 13:40:00
29.85 million RMB will be used for building children's welfare center in TAR, to provide a better living environment for the orphans.
This newly built welfare center with the total area 11,950 square meters, providing 300 beds for orphans will be put in use in 2010. There are children's activity center, rehabilitation center, logistics center, as well as children living areas available in the welfare center.
During 1970s and 1980s, Tibetan orphans were living with the lonely elderly in social welfare homes. In 1997, five children's welfare centers sponsored by TAR Ministry of Civil Affairs were set up in TAR.
Currently, nearly 900 orphans are adopted by children welfare centers in TAR.
http://eng.tibet.cn/index/news/200811/t20081117_438523.htm
Lhasa Special Education School: Heaven for disabled Tibetan children
2008-02-21 13:59:00
Tseten Dekyi, a grade-three student, is receiving language training, photo from jyb.com.cn.
Students are studying braille, photo from jyb.com.cn.
Studnets in junior classes are embroidering, photo from jyb.com.cn.
Students are repairing a sartorius by themselves, photo from jyb.com.cn.
Students are painting on their drawings, photo from jyb.com.cn.
Students are enjoying themselves after lunch, photo from jyb.com.cn.
Founded in October, 1999, Lhasa Special Education School has benefited disabled children a lot in Tibet Autonomous Region.
By cooperating with related schools in Jiangsu Province, the school provides students here with professional teachers and life subsidies supported by the government and the society.
http://eng.tibet.cn/index/news/200802/t20080221_368479.htm
Tibet University and Preservation of Tibetan culture
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'Dream-realizing Action' helps needy Tibetan students
http://en.tibet.cn/news/tin/t20070920_280693.htm
by:Niki 2007-09-20 14:18:45
2007 Tibet "Dream-realizing Action" concluded recently. It collected over 1.8 mln yuan (about 0.22 mln USD) to help 274 needy freshmen in university in 45 days.
Initiated by TAR Communist Youth League and TAR Youth Development Fund, the "Dream-realizing Action" aims to collect money to realize needy students' dreams of studying.
"Dream-realizing Action" has collected money through enterprise donation, no-benefit performance, auction and other ways since its start-up on August 5 and donated 6,500 yuan (about 812.5 USD) to each needy student.
3,706 students pass TAR adult college entrance examination
2008-12-01 10:48:00
3,706 students including 614 Han students and 3,092 of ethnic minority have been enrolled after passing the TAR adult college entrance examination, news from http://www.xzzsks.com.cn.
The enrollment rate achieves 74% with 2,023 specialized graduates and 1,683 high school graduates furthering their study this year.
http://eng.tibet.cn/index/news/200812/t20081201_440915.htm
Young Foreign Tibetans stop being used by USA
You all deserve such high standard of Education
Say NO! to Dalai Lama and Tibetan Youth Congress
No one knows about Tibet better than the people from India
Modern education a key to Tibet's social and economic progress
2008-09-04 10:01:00
| by: Parvathi Menon | From: The Hindu
Before 1951, 92 per cent of the population of Tibet was illiterate. That proportion is now 44 per cent.
A report published this year by the Dalai Lama's Dharamsala-based "Government-in-Exile" and titled Environment and Development in Tibet: A Crucial Issue (available on their website) seeks to perpetuate the myth that Tibetans are fast becoming a minority in their homeland as a result of a state-sponsored policy of Han settlement in Tibet. In fact, of the Tibet Autonomous Region (TAR) population of 2.8 million, Tibetans account for 92 per cent, other ethnic minorities for around 2 per cent, and Han Chinese a little under 6 per cent.
Government officials in Tibet emphasise that the accusation that Han Chinese control the administration of Tibet is wrong. Tibetans constitute a majority of the cadre within government and the Communist Party. According to Duo Ji Ciren, Vice-Commissioner of the Administrative office of Nyingchi prefecture, 70 per cent of civil servants in Nyingchi prefecture are either Tibetans or from other ethnic minorities, and key prefectural posts are held by Tibetans.
Education has been key to social and economic progress in Tibet. Modern education only began after 1951. In 2007, enrolment in primary schools reached 98.2 per cent, in middle schools 90.97 per cent, in high school 42.96 per cent, and in colleges 17.4 per cent. Before 1951, 92 per cent of the population of Tibet was illiterate. That proportion is now 44 per cent, although the illiterate are now concentrated in the older age groups.
"You had to be a monk if you wanted education in the old society," said Dr. Losang Yundeng, 51, Director of the 210-bed County Peoples Hospital in Nyingchi. An ethnic Tibetan from a poor family of labourers in a remote village in Nyingchi prefecture, he was sent to one of the first schools to be opened in his village. When a medical team visited the village in 1972, the 15-year-old boy was chosen by his village to train as a barefoot doctor. After the Cultural Revolution, Dr. Yundeng trained at the Nanjing Medical College and later at the famous Norman Bethune Medical Academy to become a doctor.
Dr. Wangmo, 44, a brilliant Tibetan plant pathologist and professor in the Department of Plant Technology at the Tibetan Agriculture and Animal Husbandry College, Nyingchi, speaks of how education transformed life in her village. "I studied in a village which you could only get to by horse," she said. "But education gave us ability and confidence. In my school, 80 per cent of the children were Tibetan and our Tibetan education was very good." In the college where she teaches, half of the 3,000 students are girls and 80 per cent of all students are Tibetan.
Dr. Wangmo's current research is on understanding the structure of a fungus called Cordyceps Sinensis, which grows wild in certain high-altitude counties. Called "yatsagompo" in Tibetan, the fungus, which looks like an innocuous dry twig, has been the reason for a sudden increase in incomes among certain communities living in these regions. Used in traditional medicine and valued for its healing properties, the fungus is highly priced. "I have seen people earn 80,000 yuan a year from this," Dr. Wangmo explained. Her research team is also working on how to undertake the sustainable cultivation of this precious resource.
Indeed, the issue of ecological sustainability and protection of the natural habitat is one over which demonstrable measures have been taken. The Tibetan plateau is a cradle of the planet's natural wealth. It has the world's highest peaks and lakes, gives birth to Asia¡¯s mighty rivers, and has vast deposits of mineral and forest wealth.
The 10-hour drive from Lhasa to the Nyingchi prefecture, one of TAR's ecological treasure houses, is as remarkable for its stunning landscapes as it is for the absence of heavy motor traffic, roadside hoardings, the defacement of rock surfaces with advertisements or writing, and litter. The Nyingchi Prefecture has a forest cover of 46 per cent, the largest virgin forest in China. The preservation of the ecology is central to government policy here. "Our slogan is 'Build Nyingchi as the largest district in western Tibet with the best preserved ecology,'" said Mr. Ciren, its administrative head. The beautiful Environmental Museum in Nyingchi offers a stunning display of its plant and animal wealth.
China's Tibet policy was defined to us by Dong Yunhu, Director General of the State Council Information Office, as "the continuous improvement in the living standards of Tibetans," By this criterion, the implementation of China's Tibet policy is marked by measurable and visible success.
http://eng.tibet.cn/index/news/200809/t20080904_424239.htm
Signed article: A breach of constitution under pretext of religion
17:44, December 04, 2008
Following is a signed article by Liu Hongji, a researcher with the China Tibetology Research Center, on the Dalai Lama side's recent claim of "genuine autonomy."
A breach of constitution under pretext of religion
by Liu Hongji
In the "Memorandum on Genuine Autonomy for the Tibetan People", the Dalai side, by claiming that "the Tibetan government in exile represents the interests of the Tibetan people and speaks on their behalf", listed several "basic needs" (including religion) of "genuine autonomy", which was quite misleading.
The Memorandum said that "We recognize the importance of separation of church and state, but this should not affect the freedom and practice of believers." It also says that "An interpretation of the constitutional principle in light of international standard would also cover the freedom of the manner of belief or worship. The freedom covers the right of monasteries to be organized and run according to Buddhist monastic tradition, to engage in teachings and studies, and to enroll any number of monks and nuns or age group in accordance with these rules. The normal practice to hold public teachings and the empowerment of large gatherings is covered by this freedom and the state should not interfere in religious practices and traditions, such as the relationship between a teacher and his disciple, management of monastic institutions, and the recognition of reincarnations."
As a matter of fact, freedom of religious belief is one of the basic rights endowed to the Chinese citizens by the Chinese Constitution. Article 36 of the Constitution says "Citizens of the People's Republic of China enjoy freedom of religious belief. No state organ, public organization or individual may compel citizens to believe in, or not to believe in, any religion; nor may they discriminate against citizens who believe in, or do not believe in, any religion. The state protects normal religious activities. No one may make use of religion to engage in activities that disrupt public order, impair the health of citizens or interfere with the educational system of the state. Religious bodies and religious affairs are not subject to any foreign domination." In addition to the Constitution, other Chinese laws, including the Criminal Law, the Civil Code, the Law on Regional Ethnic Autonomy, the Military Service Law, the Law on Compulsory Education, the Law on education, the Electoral Law for the National People's Congress and the Local People's Congresses, the Organic Law of Village Committees, the Labor Law and the Law on Advertising all stipulate that citizens' freedom of religious belief are protected and public organizations and individuals should not discriminate against citizens who believe in or do not believe in any religion. But one thing should be clarified, freedom of religious belief does not mean religious activities are also free from government regulation or legal obligations. To believe in a religion or not is a personal issue and a free choice, but religious activities, which might affect other people, must be bound by law.
To protect citizens' freedom of religious belief, maintain social harmony and regulate religious affairs, the State Council issued a Regulations on Religious Affairs in 2004. Article 2 of the Regulation says that no organization or individual may compel citizens to believe in or not to believe in any religion. Nor may they discriminate against citizens who believe in any religion or citizens who do not believe in any religion. Religious citizens and non-religious citizens shall respect each other and co-exist in harmony, and so shall citizens who believe in different religions.
The provisions concerning protection of citizens' freedom of religious belief in the Constitution and laws have been seriously implemented in Tibet. Tibet now has more than 1,780 religious sites, about 46,000 monks and nuns, four mosques and one catholic church. Religious groups co-exist harmoniously and their religious activities are held orderly in Tibet. Without genuine freedom of religious belief, this would be impossible.
What the Dalai side asked for was absolute religious freedom which was not bound by law. They asked to manage monasteries and enroll monks and nuns according to "religious tradition" and "religious rules", which, in fact, meant that they wanted to resume the old "religion first" regime led by the Dalai before Tibet's democratic reform. By then, Tibet had 2,676 monasteries and 120,000 monks and nuns, accounting for one tenth of Tibet's total population. Monasteries, which owned more than one third of the means of production in Tibet, sustained the Tibetan feudal serfdom as one of the three major estate-holders. The other two were local bureaucrats and nobles. The old regime didn't benefit Tibet. Instead, it impeded Tibet's social development. According to the Tibetan Annals written in the Qing Dynasty, Tibet had a total population of 1.3 million in 1737. During the following 200 years, Tibet's population didn't increase. Instead, it declined to one million in 1951. Its economic situation was even worse. In 1951, Tibet was still a feudal serfdom society with no modern industries and education. What the situation would be if the old system was restored in Tibet in which one tenth of the population was monks and nuns? By 2007, Tibet has recorded 2,83 million population. If 280,000 people were monks or nuns and did not work, the pressure on laymen to support them would be crippling.
Education is the foundation for social development. Article 2 of the Law on Compulsory Education says that "The compulsory education is the education which is implemented uniformly by the state and shall be received by all school-age children and adolescents. It is a public welfare cause that shall be guaranteed by the state." Article 4 says that "All children and adolescents who have the nationality of the People's Republic of China and have reached the school age shall have equal right and have the obligation to receive compulsory education, regardless of the gender, nationality, race, status of family property, religion, belief, etc." And Article 5 stipulates that "The people's governments at all levels and their relevant departments shall perform all functions as described by this Law and shall ensure the right to compulsory education of all school-age children and adolescents. The parents or other statutory guardians of school-age children and adolescents shall ensure that school-age children and adolescents go to school to receive and complete the compulsory education." The Dalai side's claim of enrolling any number of monks and nuns or age group in accordance with Buddhist monastic tradition violated the Law on Compulsory Education and will not help improve social development.
Currently, religious followers in China enjoy full freedom of religious belief. Almost all Tibetan Buddhists have scripture halls or Buddha statue niches at home, and they can invite monks to hold scripture recitation and religious ceremonies at home. Lhasa receives more than one million Buddhist followers annually, and the Jokhang Monastery is full of believers worshipping or rolling their prayer wheels. By denying the fact that the Tibetan people enjoy freedom of religious belief and asking for an amendment to the Constitution with so-called 'international standard', the Dalai side is attempting to restore theocracy in Tibet. Enditem
Source:Xinhua
http://english.peopledaily.com.cn/90001/90776/90785/6546827.html
U.K. <<Guardian>>: Down with the Dalai Lama
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Hada for my teacher
2008-09-09 10:42:00
Pupils send hada to their teacher, photo from Tibet Daily.
As the 24th Teacher's Day is coming, pupils of the Xue Primary School in Lhasa, capital of the Tibet Autonomous Region, showed their best wishes to their teachers by presenting hada.
http://eng.tibet.cn/index/news/200809/t20080909_425204.htm
Vocational techniques benefit rural students
2008-09-10 10:48:00
Students learn traditional carving with the help of a company, photo from Tibet Daily.
Migmar Dondrup (M) is teaching his students, photo from Tibet Daily.
The Vocational Education Center of Dagze County Middle School in Lhasa benefits the local rural students a lot as the school pays attention to the labor market during the teaching process.
http://eng.tibet.cn/index/news/200809/t20080910_425464.htm
Rapid development of vocational education in Zogang county
2008-11-18 15:56:00
Vocational education which helps improve herdsmen's working skills is developing fast with bringing social and economic benifits in Zogang county.
There are eight professional teachers, three different levels classes in four majors of vocational education. Up to now, 27 students have been trained in painting, 22 in weaving, 26 in sewing and 12 in carpentry.
The rapid development of vocational education in Zogang county shows the integration of agricultural science and education.
http://eng.tibet.cn/news/today/200811/t20081118_438732.htm
Sime Wangmo: Training changes Tibetan shepherd girl's fate
2008-12-03 10:24:00
Two Tibetan girls are smiling at the training center, photo from CTIC.
Those girls are paying much attention to the teacher's actions carefully, photo from CTIC.
Tibetan girls are practising skills of restaurant management, photo from CTIC.
Sime Wangmo, 21 years old, was born in a poor family of Phentok village in Lhunzhub County. She had to drop out of high school two years ago to reduce parents' burden of affording four children to go to school at the same time.
In October, she got a piece of good news that she and her sister could participate in the skill training class held in Dagze County with free tuition and accommodation fees.
TAR Women's Federation used 84,000 yuan funds from Poverty Alleviation Office to hold a 45-day training course about catering and hotel services for Tibetan women. There were more than 130 students participating in this training class. At the same time, TAR Women's Federation will also recommend proper jobs for all the students after the training to help them increase income and change their family status.
Sime Wangmo enjoyed the life in this training class. She said: "Everyday we begin classes from 10 o'clock to 13 o'clock in the morning, and from 15:30 to 17:30 in the afternoon. What we are learning is not only the content about catering, hotel services skills, but also the patriotism education, the basic knowledge about women's healthcare, and the law about labor contract."
After the training, Sime Wangmo and her classmates received the vocational skills certificates. And 4 students had been employed by a Beijing company and other 12 students had signed contracts with a Lhasa company.
Sime Wangmo expressed her new dream, she said:"My hometown, Phentok village, is quite a beautiful place. There are many cultural relics as Razheng Monastery. I will learn the knowledge about catering, hotel management harder and open my own hotel to develop the tourism in my hometown ."
http://eng.tibet.cn/index/news/200812/t20081203_441295.htm
'Law popularization supermarket' serves Lhasa
2008-12-05 15:53:00
Staff workers are telling the local people how to recognize the cigarette, photo by Zhao Guoli from Tibet Business News.
This December 4th is the 8th National Law Popularization Day. And departments concerned popularized law knowledge to the local people on the Yutuo Road, Lhasa, capital of the Tibet Autonomous Region.
Activities such as how to sign contracts and how to recognize false products attracted many pedestrians.
http://eng.tibet.cn/index/news/200812/t20081205_441630.htm
Tibetan Buddhist monks hold firefighting drill
2008-12-04 09:04:00
Picture taken on Nov. 28, 2008 shows Tibetan Buddhist monks rush to a fire site during a drilling at Sagya Monastery in Xigaze of southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region. Some 35 temples and lamaseries in the region have established their own fire brigades comprised of buddhist monk volunteers in recent years, photo from Xinhua.
Picture taken on Nov. 29, 2008 shows Tibetan Buddhist monks try to put out a fire during a drilling at Zhaxi Lhunbo Lamasery in Xigaze of southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region, photo from Xinhua.
Picture taken on Nov. 29, 2008 shows a Tibetan Buddhist monk hoding a fire hose during a drilling at Zhaxi Lhunbo Lamasery in Xigaze of southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region, photo from Xinhua.
Picture taken on Nov. 29, 2008 shows Tibetan Buddhist monks try to put out a fire during a drilling at Zhaxi Lhunbo Lamasery in Xigaze of southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region, photo from Xinhua.
Picture taken on Nov. 29, 2008 shows Tibetan Buddhist monks try to put out a fire during a drilling at Zhaxi Lhunbo Lamasery in Xigaze of southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region, photo from Xinhua.
Training was taught by Tibetan Firemen
The drill was completely volunteering and led by Tibetans Monks
http://eng.tibet.cn/index/news/200812/t20081204_441476.htm
Commentary: Dalai Lama's remarks add to his mistakes
2008-11-04 12:40:00
During his Japan tour the Dalai Lama said Sunday that the current situation in Tibet is "very sad" and the Chinese central government is handing down a "death sentence" to Tibetans. Such remarks confound black and white and disregard facts.
The Dalai Lama's remarks came at a time when China's central government is to arrange another round of contacts and negotiations with his private representatives.
The self-proclaimed spiritual leader, who betrayed his home country and fled Tibet in 1959, made a cliche-ridden statement when he said the current situation in Tibet is "very sad."
Having never made any efforts for or contributions to the protection and development of Tibetan culture, the Dalai Lama absurdly claims himself as "the protector of Tibetan culture."
The accusation of the so-called "cultural genocide" in Tibet and "death sentence" to Tibetans betrayed facts and were aimed at arousing concerns over Tibet to add weight to his separatist ambitions.
Despite the Lhasa riot in March this year and disruptions and sabotage of the Beijing Olympic Games by a handful of elements seeking "Tibet independence," the central government has agreed to hold contacts with private representatives of the Dalai Lama.
However, the Dalai Lama again played the trick of "retirement" and said he was disappointed about the talks with the central government and that the prospects for such talks would "become thinner and thinner."
Facts have shown that his "disappointment" was groundless.
During a meeting with the Dalai Lama's private representatives in July this year, the central government raised four requirements for the Dalai Lama to heed -- not to support activities to disturb the upcoming Beijing Olympic Games; not to support plots to fan up violent criminal activities; not to support, and effectively contain, the violent terrorist activities of the "Tibetan Youth Congress"; and not to support any argument and activity to seek "Tibetan independence" and split the region from the country.
The requirements of the Chinese central government have been concrete, simple, reasonable and explicit, which would have facilitated the contacts and negotiations to generate effective results if the Dalai Lama side had seriously carried out the promises.
By stressing his "disappointment" over the contacts and negotiations, the Dalai Lama deliberately adopted a pathetic posture only in an attempt to draw public attention and sympathy.
His "disappointment" also showed his reluctance to give up his stance to seek "Tibetan independence."
For the Dalai Lama, it is futile to play mean tricks and try to turn back the wheel of history.
Recognizing the irreversible situation, the Dalai Lama should stop repeating the mistakes and discard his fantasies. He should live up to his words in a bid to create a favorable condition for the contacts and negotiations between the central government and his private representatives.
http://eng.tibet.cn/index/news/200811/t20081104_436291.htm
China issues white paper, refutes charge of "cultural genocide" in Tibet
15:16, September 25, 2008
China issued a white paper (full text of the white paper) on Thursday to acquaint the world with its efforts on the protection and development of Tibetan culture, refuting the charge of the so-called "cultural genocide" in Tibet.
It is "published to give the international community a better understanding of the reality of the protection and development of Tibetan culture" and "to further the protection and development of Tibetan culture", the white paper on Protection and Development of Tibetan Culture said.
The white paper consists of six parts, "Foreword", "Learning, Use and Development of the Spoken and Written Tibetan Languages", "Inheritance, Protection and Promotion of the Tibetan Cultural Heritage", "Religious Beliefs and Native Customs Respected", "All-round Development of Modern Science, Education and the Media" and "Conclusion".
It is "citing facts to expose the lie about the 'cultural genocide' in Tibet fabricated by the 14th Dalai Lama and his cohorts", and "exposing the deceptive nature of the 'cultural autonomy of Tibet' they clamor for".
Over the past half century, and especially since the adoption of the reform and opening-up policies in 1978, the Chinese government has attached great importance to the protection and development of Tibetan culture, it said.
"With great enthusiasm and a highly responsible attitude... the Chinese government has dedicated a large amount of manpower, materials and funds to the protection and promotion of fine traditional Tibetan culture, and vigorously developed modern scientific, educational and cultural undertakings in Tibet, bringing about unprecedented protection and development of Tibetan culture," it stated.
"Dalai Lama and his clique and the anti-China forces in the West conspire to force the Tibetan ethnic group and its culture to stagnate and remain in a state similar to the Middle Ages, in effect to become living fossils, while they themselves enjoy the fruits of modern civilization and culture," said the white paper released by the Information Office of the State Council, which is the seventh of its kind on Tibet.
Tibetan culture is a lustrous pearl of Chinese culture as well as a precious part of world culture, it said.
"The Tibetan people have developed their culture by means of interaction ad fusion with other cultures, especially that of the Han people. Over the centuries, Tibetan culture has remained a spiritual pillar for the Tibetan ethnic group," it said.
Before 1959 the 14th Dalai Lama monopolized both political and religious power. The serf owners, accounting for less than five percent of the total population of old Tibet, possessed all the means of production and cultural and educational resources in Tibet, monopolizing the material and cultural wealth of the region.
The Democratic Reform in 1959 abolished theocratic feudal serfdom, while ending the monopoly of the minority of nobility and senior monks over culture and education. The broad masses of serfs and slaves were politically, economically and mentally emancipated, and became the real masters in protecting, developing and enjoying Tibetan culture, according to the white paper.
"The reform made Tibetan culture a people's culture, and inaugurated a promising future for its development," it said.
The white paper said facts show that there has been no "cultural genocide" in Tibet at all over the past half century and more.
On the contrary, the traditional culture of Tibet has been appropriately inherited, effectively protected and vigorously promoted, while modern Tibetan culture, oriented toward modernization, the future and the rest of the world, has opened up to the outside world and achieved rapid and all-round development propelled by Tibet's economic and social development, it said.
"It is safe to say that the situation concerning the protection, prosperity and development of Tibetan culture in any historical period of old Tibet bears no comparison with the situation in Tibet today, and the achievements in this regard are undeniable to anyone who respects facts," it stated.
Source: Xinhua
http://english.peopledaily.com.cn/90001/90776/90785/6506163.html
Symposium held to study White Papter about Tibetan culture
2008-10-24 10:39:00
A symposium on learning the White Paper on Protection and Development of Tibetan Culture for non-Party people in Tibet was held by the United Front Work Department of the Tibet Autonomous Region.
A common agreement was reached in the symposium that for the last half-century, after the reform and opening-up policy in particular, the Chinese central government has attached great importance to protect and develop the Tibetan culture while develop the scientific and modern education. An unprecedented advance has been made in protection of Tibetan culture.
The white paper proves that the culture of Tibet has been receiving effective protection, reasonable inheritance and good development rather than genocide.
http://eng.tibet.cn/index/news/200810/t20081024_434302.htm
Dr. Huo Wei: Fruitful archeological work just enough to refute 'cultural genocide'
2008-10-24 14:01:00
A Chinese Tibetologist as well as archaeologist said in a recent interview with China Tibet Information Center in Beijing that the remarkable achievements China's Tibet Autonomous Region has gained in archeological research is just enough to refute the so-called "cultural genocide" by the Dalai Lama.
"The 'cultural genocide' brought forward by the 14th Dalai Lama proved to be unscientific in the face of great achievements of archeological research in Tibet," Dr. Huo Wei, head of the Sichuan University Museum as well as deputy head of the Academy of History & Culture of Sichuan University told to China Tibet Information Center.
"I think the very favorable turning-point of Tibet's archeological study takes place after China's reform and opening-up policy," said Huo Wei.
Archeological research in old Tibet could be unorganized and mindless as it was mainly carried out by a few explorers, archaeologists, experts or businessmen who cherish different purposes. Restricted by special geographical, historical and religionary elements in Tibet as well as deficient finance, technique and material at that time, archeological research, especially excavation of underground cultural heritages, was undeveloped, compared with that of ground, according to Huo Wei.
"After performing the reform and opening-up policy, Tibet has achieved remarkable achievements in archeological research, both underground and ground, with the financial, material and technical supports from central government," said Huo Wei.
"It greatly facilitates the study of Tibet's prehistoric period as well as civilization, which is infeasible before the reform and opening-up policy."
According to Huo Wei, a great deal of rare cultural relics were found during last decades, including the noted inscription Da Tang Tian Zhu Shi Chu Ming which tells the way the envoys from great Tang Dynasty to Tian Zhu (current India), and Pi Yang Dong Ga Buddhism Cave where numerous invaluable frescos are housed.
Since the reform and opening-up policy, China has organized three general surveys of cultural relics in Tibet, including the ongoing 3rd time. It is expected that cultural relics of the current survey will be doubled, compared with 2,000 obtained in previous surveys, he added.
Huo Wei said:"Protection of cultural heritage can promote the tourism industry in Tibet, it is more important as such projects do save and carry forward the long and rich history and culture of Tibet."
"The reform and opening-up policy is a monumental work of Tibet's archeological work with great significance," he added.
"Another action China made for Tibet is to protect and repair the cultural heritages at the cost of huge investment, such as repairing the three key cultural heritages in Tibet, maintaining dozens of units of cultural relics protection and etc., which definitely contribute to the centuries to come."
"So I think the Chinese central government has spared no pains to protect the culture of Tibet, especially historical materials, thus proving the 'cultural genocide' said by the Dalai Lama is not seeking truth from facts," Huo Wei emphasized.
http://eng.tibet.cn/news/today/200810/t20081024_434305.htm
White Paper: Protection and Development of Tibetan Culture
Full Text click here
Preservation of Tibetan culture shared by all Tibetan people
2008-11-04 16:33:00
Over the last 50 years, China has exerted great endeavors to preserve the culture of Tibet, making sure reasonable, effective, and extensive ways of inheritance.
The China Tibetology Research Center brought out a new computer font for the special use of Tibetan language not long ago. The naissance of the Tibetan font pushes the exchanges as well as publishing of Tibetan language into a new phase.
Educational modernization becomes a force to be reckoned with in economic, cultural and social development of Tibet.
"I've heard rumors that no one is speaking Tibetan language in Tibet before visiting Tibet. Rumors turned out to be wrong when I visited Tibet personally. What I have seen is the popular usage of Tibetan language, the so-called 'culture genocide' is rather ridiculous," said a German expert who just finished his trip to Tibet.
There was not a single school can be called "modern" one in the feudal serf system that mingled politics with religion in old Tibet. Only first-class nobles and few monks can have access to Tibetan language study, the serfs, who account for almost 95 per cent of Tibet's total population, have no right to study Tibetan language. In 1950s, the Chinese central government organized dozens of studying classes, long or short terms, for ordinary Tibetans to study Tibetan language and technology. Nowadays, students in primary and middle schools and universities are required to study Tibetan language.
Statistic shows that the central government has allocated a total of 13.989 billion yuan to assist education in Tibet, from 2003 to 2007. The enrolment rate for school-age children has hiked from 2 per cent in old Tibet to present 98.2 per cent. The cultural level of Tibetan people has been greatly improved. Hence, there emerges lots of well-educated Tibetan talents who provide a continuous driving force for the social, economic, cultural and scientific progress of Tibet.
Preservation of Tibetan culture yields effective fruits
A huge investment of money was allocated from the central government to protect Tibetan culture. From 1989 to 1994, the central government has allocated 55 million yuan and a great amount of gold, silver and other precious materials for the renovation of the Potala Palace; in 2001, a total of 330 million yuan was allocated for the repair of the Potala Palace, Norbu Lingka and Sagya Monastery; another 570 million from the central government was pumped into maintenance of 22 cultural relics in Tibet...
Ever since the 1970s, work to collect and study literatures on Tibetan drama, dancing, ballad, music, proverb and etc. kept in folk, started; in 2003, project to protect intangible cultural relics of Tibet was officially launched; record of the King Gesar, the longest heroic epic in the world, received sound fruits...
The large-scale protection on Tibet's cultural relics, physical and intangible, shows great achievements China has made in protecting Tibetan culture, howbeit, the most important is that it does benefit Tibetan people.
Development of Tibetan medicine takes off
In old Tibet, there were only three hospitals for only nobles and first-class monks. A majority of the Tibetan people can't receive medical treatment at that time. "Meanwhile, the study of Tibetan medicine only can be available in temples. Therefore, Tibetan medicine failed to be well developed," said Huang Kaifu, deputy director of Beijing Tibetan Hospital.
By the end of 2007, there are 18 hospitals in Tibet. Most of people can receive medical treatment. Besides, the manufacture of Tibetan medicine has been striding forward. In 2007, the total output value of Tibetan medicine has reached 660 million yuan. In recent years, books on Tibetan medicine have been published one by one.
"To protect the Tibetan medicine from the root plays a far-reaching role in the science of Tibetan medicine, which directly reflects China's great endeavors to preserve Tibetan culture," said Huang Kaifu.
The research and study of Tibetology in old Tibet was limited to few peers and first-class monks, who mainly focused on religionary study. Nowadays, there are more than 50 institutes and centers all over the country to be engaged in Tibetan studies, covering a wide field with some 3,000 Tibetologists. The Tibetology has become one of the important subjects of Chinese Academy of Social Science.
"The most important is special laws or regulations have been put in force to ensure the inheritance, promotion and development of Tibetan culture," Liu Hongji, researcher with China Tibetology Research Center said, "With the execution of the legislations, preservation of Tibetan culture is carried out as well as shared by the masses of Tibetan people."
Statistic indicates that there are 12 large-scale libraries, 2 museums, 2,596 recreation grounds and 6 art galleries in Tibet, providing job opportunities for about 18,350 people.
Protection of Tibetan culture is now touching an unparalleled record.
http://eng.tibet.cn/news/today/200811/t20081104_436386.htm
Tibet University witnesses to development of TAR education
2008-11-12 14:34:00
The modern campus of Tibet University, photo from CTIC by Shijian.
Fang Lingmin(M), president of Tibet University, is introducing the development history of Tibet University, photo from CTIC by Shijian.
Students are having computer lessons, photo from CTIC by Shijian.
Students are learning traditional folk dance in the bright dancing room class, photo from CTIC by Shi Yuandao.
Tibet University in Lhasa, capital city of TAR, could be traced to Tibetan cadres training classes in 1951, then established Tibet University offically in 1985. In the past 30 years with the reform and opening up, Tibet University has developed from a local teacher training school to a comprehensive university. And the area of university has enlarged from less than 300 mu to 3,000 mu.
The government is paying much attention to the education in TAR. From 1952 to 2007, it had invested 22,562 million yuan (including 13,989 million yuan invested in the recent 5 years) to develop the education in TAR, and also sent more than 7,000 teachers from other provinces to Tibet to help improve the teaching level there.
"Without the help of government, Tibet University can't develop so fast. The size of the campus is enlarging, the construction is modernizing and the levels of teachers is improving in recent years. Now there are more than 267 teachers with post-graduate qualifications, accounting for 40% of the total number," Fang Lingmin, president of Tibet University said.
The university has arranged curriculum for graduates specializing in Tibetan language and literature, the history of the Tibetan minority and traditional Tibetan paintings and music. Now Tibet University becomes the largest cradle for researchers in Tibetan Studies.
Fang said:"Our university is helping Tibetan culture develop better and better. The graduates from Tibet University are making contributions in all walks of life in TAR. I feel so proud of them. "
The library of Tibet University, photo from CTIC by Shi Yuandao.
Students are preparing for the debate contest, photo from CTIC by Shi Yuandao.
The book inquiry system of Tibet University library, photo from CTIC by Shijian.
A slogan in Tibet University library, photo from CTIC by Shijian.
The Tibetan books in Tibet University library, photo from CTIC by Shijian.
http://eng.tibet.cn/index/news/200811/t20081112_437945.htm
'Zhongkun love scholarship' set in Tibet University
2008-12-03 13:56:00
The donation ceremony of "Zhongkun love scholarship" was held in Tibet University of Lhasa with Losang Gyaltsen, minister of United Front Department and member of TAR party standing committee attending.
Beijing Zhongkun Group Co. Ltd. invested 1 million yuan for "Zhongkun love scholarship" to help more Tibetan poor students for further study and their daily life.
At the same time, Lobsang Gyaincain expressed his hope that all the aided students should study harder to make their contributions to the country.
http://eng.tibet.cn/index/news/200812/t20081203_441285.htm
Tibetan graduates from CSU to serve hometowns
2008-12-09 10:44:00
Almost all the Tibetan graduates from Central South University find good jobs in hometown reaching 100 percent full employment rate for two years in a row.
Kelzang Tsering as well as other three Tibetan graduates introduced their job experience and life in hometown by long-range video, to encourage more minority students to make contributions to their hometowns.
There are 2,349 minority students from 39 ethnic groups in Central South University, including 132 students from Uygur autonomous region and 56 from TAR. Many special policies, such as scholarship, special classes of English and advanced mathematics, are available for minority students.
When minority students are sophomores, they will have career guidance lessons to know more about employment situation and make their own career plans.
It was the supports from schools and local governments that help more and more graduates find proper jobs successfully.
http://eng.tibet.cn/index/news/200812/t20081209_442122.htm
Reform and opening-up improve Tibetans' life
2008-12-19 15:58:00
Introduction: Journalists from China Tibet Information Center have recently visited many places of the Tibet Autonomous Region, and they have published a series of first-hand materials. The reports show that in the past 30 years since china's reform and opening up, great changes have taken place in the Tibet Autonomous Region.
In 2007, the per capita disposable income of urban residents in Tibet was 11,131 yuan, an increase of almost 20 times compared to 1978 which was only 565 yuan, according to the relevant departments of the Tibet Autonomous Region.
Having saying farewell to miserable life in the old Tibet, nowadays people living there enjoy their peaceful life happily.
I Food: Former luxury, now common food
In TAR, former luxury goods have become common people's daily food.
"lala", a kind of special product made of yak milk, was a kind of luxury food before because 10 kilogramme of yak milk can only make one kilogramme "lala". In Nyainrong county, Nagqu Prefecture, there is a tradition of making "lala". Dekyi, a Tibetan woman of the county, told the reporter about the story between "lala" and her.
According to Dekyi, when she was a little girl, she was always eager to have "lala" when seeing other children from wealthy families eating in holidays. On her wedding day, her husband said to her: "I will work hard to make you have 'lala' every day!"
Now all her dreams have come true. She makes this kind of food for sale and her children can enjoy "lala" whenever they want.
Fruits and vegetable are another example. When TAR was established in 1965, few kinds of fruits were planted in the region. It was difficult for common people even pregnant women to have fresh fruits at that time. However, with the help of advanced technology, nowadays TAR can plant various fruits such as watermelons and peaches. And having fruits has become Tibetan people's daily habit. In addition, the Tibet Autonomous Region has invested on vegetable planting in recent years and nowadays local people can enjoy fresh vegetables in cold winter. Statistics show that in 1981, each person could only have 0.04 kg vegetable every day. However, in 2007, each person can have 0.4 kg vegetable per day.
Besides having better food, Tibetan people enjoy drinking tea as well.
In Lhasa, capital of TAR, you will never miss sweet tea caffs, which embody Tibetan folk-custom mostly. Scattered around Lhasa, sweet tea caffs provide their customers with not only the sweet tea but also the Tibetan culture. The process of making sweet tea is not complicated at all: adding milk powder and white sugar into boiling Tibetan tea. However, you will get "drunk" after having the sweet tea as you will be indulged in the sweet tea caffs, which are dubbed as "business cards" of Lhasa.
II Housing: Windows' change reflects life's change
Journalists from China Tibet Information Center have visited Lhasa and Xigaze Prefecture to know about people's living conditions.
Xigaze:
Dawa, a Tibetan villager of De'gyiling Village, Rinbung County, Xigaze Prefecture, lives in a spacious two-storey house covering 400 square meters. Built in 2005, the house has big and clean windows, which make Dawa's family enjoy the sunshine in winter.
Before, Dawa's old house, which is still kept, has small windows. "Because of lack of materials such as glass and wood, the windows were built small," said Dawa, "In addition, at that time it was cold in winter. If the windows were too large the house wasn't warm enough. Nowadays, the environment has become better and we make use of solar energy to keep warm. Besides, we needn't make small windows to guard against thieves now. So the windows are much larger than before."
Dingba Jigme, vice chairman of Xigaze People's Political Consultative Conference, is a local Tibetan in the Xigaze Prefecture of the Tibet Autonomous Region, who has lived in Xigaze city since his childhood. When mentioning Xigaze's changes since China's reform and opening up, Dingba Jigme said: "Great changes have taken place in last 30 years since China's reform and opening up."
According to Dingba Jigme, before 1978 there were no high buildings or asphalt roads in Xigaze city, saying nothing of high buildings and wide roads can be seen everywhere in the city.
"Not only the urban areas have changed, rural areas have been improved as well," said Dingba Jigme, "The rural people live in clean houses with two or three storeys."
Tashi, head of Dina Village of the Xigaze Prefecture, told the reporter: "This year we have built a 95-square-meter house with 950,000 yuan."
Lhasa:
Tobgye, a 63-year-old Tibetan man from Gaba Village, Ngaqen Town, Chengguan District of Lhasa, where the housing project for rural people has just been completed in 2007.
According to Tobgye, the housing project for Gaba Village has benefited 23 households with 640,000 yuan from the government, 970,000 yuan from the local people and 560,000 for the loan.
As for the house of Tobgye's 6-member family, they spent 250,000 yuan on it and received the government's subsidy of 25,000 yuan while enjoying a loan from the bank without interest. Since his son is in architecture business, their house was designed by Tobgye's son.
Tobgye showed the journalists around. Covering more than 40 square meters, the living room is equipped with comfortable sofas, pretty Tibetan cabinets, on which there is a color TV and video equipment. The Tobgye couple's bedroom, beside which is their hall for worshipping Buddha, is in complete Tibetan style while their grandsons' bedroom on the second floor is very modern.
"Our house is not the best one," said Tobgye, "there are some that are better than ours."
The following is from Wang Yiming, a common retired Tibetan man in Lhasa.
My family lives in the Barkor street of Lhasa, near the Potala Palace, which is listed as a place of the World Cultural Heritage. I am 71 years old this year and have witnessed the differences between the old Tibet and the new one. And China's reform and opening up policy has helped a great deal in the past 30 years.
In the old Tibet, all family members of mine served Xuekang laird and lived miserably. After Tibet's Peaceful Liberation in 1951, we moved into a 10-sq.m Tibetan-style house on the ground floor.
At that time, the conditions were very poor. In the house we were not able to see sunlight all year round and the Barkor street had no drainages or latrines. Sweet tea houses were scattered around rubbish such as dog-ends, wastepaper and leftovers. Rubbish was even thrown from upstairs. There were no trash cans or spittoons around the Lhasa Hotel, which was the most comfortable and beautiful building along Barkor street at that time.
If it rained in the evening, the whole street was so dark that some people were hurt or even died when they rode because there was no electricity at that time. Crime and accidents sometimes happened in places of public entertainment. And my children and their classmates read by the candle light or kerosene lamps.
In the 30 years since China's reform and opening up, the Barkor street has changed so rapidly that it seems like a dream!
Take my four-member family for example. Since the Lhasa People's Government rebuilt Barkor street in 1991, we moved into a new house of more than 50 sq.m on the second floor as many courtyards with traditional Tibetan features have been built. And the house has been equipped with a color TV, new mats, new furniture and an electromotor for making butter tea.
Not only my family but also the whole of Barkor street has changed greatly. Narrow lanes have been replaced by wide streets and low houses have become bright Tibetan buildings with colorful street lamps around. Decorated with white ceramic tiles, latrines in the street are clean with automatic controllers that deal with sewage. The Barkor street has been equipped with so many drainages that the street will keep clean even when it rains heavily.
III Environment: Ancient city, modern looks
"In recent years, Lhasa has changed so greatly that even I often feel surprised. I had been to aother city some days before and after I came back I even can't recognize some places because they had changed so much," said 66-year-old Phuntsok, who lives in Lhasa and has fallen in love with photography after retirement.
Since China's reform and opening up in 1978, great changes have taken place in Lhasa. In the past few years, the economy in Lhasa has developed with great speed and the gross national product (GNP) has reached 3.6 billion yuan.
Architectures such as Lhasa Hotel, Tibet People's Hall, Tibet University, Tibet Museum, Lhasa Cinema, and etc. have combined both ethnic and modern features.
Modern traffic systems havebeen built in Lhasa. 12 trunk roads started operation in 2000, and 3 ones are in construction, the total investment of which exceeds 300 million yuan. Together with 1st Road and 2nd Ring Road, Beijing Road, Jiangsu Road, Lingkor Road, Nyangri Road, Sera Road and Damrad Road have formed the modern traffic truss.
The residents' living conditions in the old district of Lhasa, capital of the Tibet Autonomous Region, also have been improving around better environment.
Data show that 90% houses of the old district of Lhasa are dangerous, 20% of which are especially dangerous. Many dwellers suffered from arthritis because of bad living conditions. Qunzong, an elder Tibetan mom, is one who has experienced arthritis because of the bad living conditions
When we visited Qunzong family, she had just returned from hospital.
Qunzong said:"Before alteration, we lived in the second floor and at that time, the house was damp in summer and chilly in winter. With dim light, the courtyard was dirty and messy. Streets of the old district were narrow and uneven and rubbish could be seen everywhere. Narrow lanes were filled with a terrible odor, which made the living environment worse."
According to Lhasa Construction Bureau, houses in this city's old district are built with stones, wood, and earth. Granite and earth billets are the main materials for those architectures. Low, obscure and wet, these houses have no municipal appliances or fire protection facilities.
Since China's reform and opening-up, the government has taken measures to reconstruct the old district of Lhasa. From 2001 to 2004, 68 courtyards had been restored. 56 of them were invested by the government and 12 of them (9 courtyards are culture relics and 3 courtyards are ancient architectures.) were invested by Lhasa Construction Bureau. The whole project covers 39,536 square meters.
Nowadays, houses in Tibetan style have risen up in Lhasa with clean and orderly streets extending far and wide. Former dirty courtyards have become clean and civilized ones.
Just as Qunzong said:"The streets now are so plain that even blind people don't need to worry that they will fall into wallows or be stumbled upon rubbish. People live in houses that look as beautiful as gardens. Even though some families still have not acquired their own houses, we believe that the government will help them."
In Murong Neighbourhood which the Qunzong family is under jurisdiction of, Langzong family also enjoy their pretty houses with modern equipments. Drinking butter tea, Luozhu, an elder from Xiasasu Neighbourhood, enjoys the beautiful scenery with his wife in front of his sitting room: water in Lhasa river is flowing while the snow mountain keeps silent.
It is reported that in the past years, departments concerned required that Tibetan culture and Tibetan customs should be kept when rebuilding the architecture. In addition, complimenting with the environment around is demanded as well.
In addition, since 1979, the government invested a large amount of money in reconstructing appliances in the old district of Lhasa without destroying the former style. Up to the end of last year, 430,000 square meters of old architecture have been restored.
IV Articles for use: Hada on the water faucet
In TAR, Hada represents good wishes, and nowadays it can be seen on water faucets of rural families.
On November 28, the journalists from China Tibet Information Center visited Paggarxoi Village of Dagze County, Lhasa to know about the implementation of the "Mother Water Celler" project. When journalists visited Losang Drolkar's house, they saw white hada on a water faucet. The 66-year-old Tibetan woman told the reporter:"It was very convenient for us to take water before the water celler was built. And nowadays we are so happy because we can enjoy clean water without much efforts."
Launched by China Women's Development Foundation (CWDF) of All-China Women's Federation since 2001, the project has benefited more than 50,000 people with over 108 million yuan. Up to the end of 2006, 28 Solar Thermal wells, 14 wide wells and 405 hand pressure wells have been completed.
The project has improved the local people's life a lot. Taking Gaiyi Village of Xigaze Prefecture for example, before villagers had to take water from a hill 3 kilometers away and the per capita income was only about 1,400 yuan with only 60 people working outside. After the water celler of the village has been built, the per capita income has reached more than 2,000 yuan with over 100 villagers working outside.
Besides enjoying cleaner water, people in TAR have made best use of solar energy in people's daily life, which has both saved energy and protected the environment. When journalists visited Bana Village in Sangri Town of Lhoka Prefecture, Kanglang, a villager from the village, was cooking with methane gas. And solar photovoltaic panels can be seen in many places of Payang Town.
Modern articles such as mobiles, cars, tractors can be seen commonly in TAR, not to mention TVs, refrigerators or computers.
V Business: Former serf, now hotel boss
As a serf in old Tibet, Tashi, a 68-year-old Tibetan man in Lhoka Prefecture of TAR, has now become the boss of Tashi Hotel.
Located in the south of Kangdese Mountain and near Yamzhou Yumco Lake, Tashi Hotel in Arza Town always welcomes many tourists who come here for its fame from home and abroad, from April to September every year. Among them some are from America, Japan and etc. Tourists with travel guide in hand and posters from different countries can often be seen in the hotel.
Tashi looked very happy when talking about his hotel. "My hotel has received the support of the local government as many preferential policies have been put forward since China' reform and opening-up. Income of the hotel is pretty good because it has an advantage of a good location." Tashi Hotel has over 20 rooms with the capital of about 80,000 yuan and Tashi can be listed as the richest man in Arza Town.
"I had never expected that in the past because I had lived a dog's life as a serf," said Tashi, "I did everything at that time but still couldn't see hope. I thought maybe I would live like that for my whole life."
"However, after the democratic reform in the Tibet Autonomous Region, I began my new life by opening a clothing store, which ended my miserable life. And later I opened my hotel, which is the 1st hotel in my town," Tashi told the reporter.
Besides enjoying the sunset and stars, tourists can see mountains covered with snow in the clean Tashi Hotel though it is a bit simple because it has no TVs or lavatorys.
Living in a Tibetan-style house, Tashi has a happy family: his son is an official in the local finance bureau and his two grandsons study in Hunan. Tashi wishes that they study hard to work for their hometown in the future.
"My hotel runs well and I feel satisfied with my present life," Tashi said.
When the journalists left Tashi's house, a row of new houses were found to finish construction in front of Tashi Hotel. That was a secret of elder Tashi: He wants to enlarge the hotel.
"30 years ago, we led a miserable life. However, nowadays, we live well with our hard work and the support from the government," said Phur Tshe, a 42-year-old villager from Tongmen Town, Xietongmen County, Xigaze Prefecture.
Phur Tshe's family can earn 40,000 yuan every year by making leather goods in Tibetan style. His products attracted many people on the Xigaze Trade Fair for their practicality and beauty.
In Phur Tshe's factory, several workers were working on leather boots. "The government invested more than 80,000 yuan to build the factory for us," said Phur Tshe.
Having living well himself, Phur Tshe tries to help his villagers by teaching them his ancestral skills. "I feel happiest when my neighbours get rich by the craftmanship I teach them," said Phur Tshe.
In Dina Village of the Xigaze Prefecture, the Tibet Autonomous Region, the average capita of the village reached 10,160 yuan in 2008 and the gross income of the village in 2007 hit 4,173,862 yuan. The village had become rich by developing transportation industry with the support from the government.
"Take my family for example, the government invested 150,000 yuan for us to buy a truck in 2003 and after that we could earn 150,000 yuan, 200,000 yuan, or even 300,000 yuan every year," said Tashi, head Dina Village.
Duoluo, a knifesmith of Kaga Village, Xietongmen County, Xigaze Prefecture, has become the No. 1 rich man in his village by making Tibetan knives. He earns more than 70,000 yuan every year by this skill and his two sons who make knives with him can get 50,000 yuan and 30,000 annually.
Originated from Bhutan, the technique of making Kaga Tibetan Knife was transferred to Tibet by border trade. As one of the most famous kinds of Tibetan knife, the Kaga Tibetan Knife boasts tenacity with fine imagery. Invested by the government, "Tibetan Knife Processing Cooperation" is going to be set up with Duoluo as the head of the organization. As the knife sells well, Duoluo has not only made himself rich but also helped his villagers live better by teaching them such skill.
Nowadays, in Xietongmen County, 52 people of 28 households make Kaga Tibetan Knife and 10 families have exquisite skills. Each household can earn more than 100,000 annually.
Rural people in Rinbung county of Xigaze Prefecture have also become rich by doing other jobs such as painting, building houses and etc. besides doing traditional rural work.
Dawa, a local villager who works in the Education Bureau of Rinbung County, told the reporter: "My family have earned about 200,000 yuan this year, a bit less than previous years." Dawa's wife weaves pulu in slack time and his 3 brothers sell Tibetan furniture, driving trucks and painting on houses separately. Their family live better now. And their 400-sq.m. house cost them more than 400,000 yuan in 2005.
Phurbu, a neighbour of Dawa, is decorating his new house, which is at the value of 120,000 yuan. Most of the money was earned by working outside.
Trupgyi, a rural man from Tajie Town, Dagze County of Lhasa, had never expected that he could become so rich. This year he had sold more than 40 pigs for more than 16,000 yuan and he will sell 11 more pigs more before the Spring Festival. In addition, the pig introduced from the mainland city just gave birth to 10 baby pigs and another two pigs of his will give birth soon. According to the market price, each baby pig will bring him about 500 yuan.
When talking about this to the Women's Federation of TAR, who helps the Tajie Town, Trupgyi said happily: "Thanks for the support from the government."
According to Trupgyi, his family lived in poverty just a few years ago. Hovever, the TAR Women's Federation invited agriculture experts to teach them techniques and the government lent them more than 10,000 yuan without interest to help them build the green house. Nowadays, his daughter-in-law plants vegetables in greenhouses and vegetables that are left over can be used to feed the pigs while the pigs' dejecta can be used as fertilizer for planting.
Trupgyi is not an exception in Dagze County. Zhasang, president of Women's Federation of Tajie Town, said: "In the town, 292 households raise pigs, and 100 of them have more than 10 pigs. These rural people have improved their life rapidly."
Conclusion: Practice proves that the past 30 years were a period in which China's national strength rose a big margin and the past 30 years have benefited local Tibetans a lot and reform and opening-up are the fundamental causes of all the achievements and progress China has made. As life has changed greatly, Tibetan people do cherish the current situation which was earned by their great efforts and no one or no organizations are allowed to disturb local people's happiness as development is the highlight of the whole Tibet Autonomous Region.
http://eng.tibet.cn/index/news/200812/t20081219_444146.htm
Painting Mandala on Tibetan cultural exhibition
2008-12-15 10:37:00
Three monks are carefully sprinkling the colored sand on the mandala, photo from Eastday.com.
The material needed for making of mandala, photo from Eastday.com.
A monks is filling his conical tool with colored sand, photo from Eastday.com.
On the opening ceremony of the "Auspicious Hada-Large Scale Tibetan Culture & Art Exhibition", monks from Shaten Monastery of Nagqu Prefecture brought the making of mandala face to face to the visitors.
Mandala, called Dultson Kyilkhor in Tibetan, means container of essence. The Mandala is a tri-dimensional graphical and geometrical representation of the universe. It represents a combination of the enlightened mind and body of Buddha and is considered to have great power.
These unique and exquisite works are usually made of colored sand. However, powdered flowers, herbs and even precious gems are also popularly used materials. Although Mandalas were originally created as religious objects used to aid in meditation and decorate and sanctify monasteries and homes, they have become appreciated as artwork for their elegance and beauty.
Mandalas are usually symmetric with series of concentric circles and squares. The center point is the residence of the resident deity, from whom the Mandala is identified. Lines are drawn from the centre until they intersect and form circles and squares. The finished Mandalas have four gates, which symbolize a culmination of the four virtues: compassion, kindness, sympathy and equanimity. Other Buddhist auspicious symbols can also be included in the design. Form and color application techniques are strictly followed in the process of creating a Mandala to show religious meanings.
http://eng.tibet.cn/index/news/200812/t20081215_443270.htm
Intangible cultural heritage in Tibet receives effective protection
2008-12-12 09:15:00
China has achieved remarkable achievements in protection and expansion of Tibet's magnificent traditional ethnic culture, especially in terms of the successful protection, transmitting and development of Intangible Cultural Heritage.
Ma Rulong, deputy chairman of the Standing Committee of the People's Congress of the Tibetan Autonomous Region, said in an interview with the media.
Relevant departments in Tibet have actively collected and compiled examples of popular Tibetan literature and art forms including drama, music, folk art performances, folk songs, proverbs and stories, Ma said.
They have collected, recorded and compiled a total of over 30 million words worth of material in both Chinese and Tibetan, and published over 1,000 academic papers and over 30 books on traditional Tibetan culture.
At present, 60 Intangible Cultural Heritage items have been catalogued on the National Intangible Cultural Heritage List. Thirty-one Tibetan folk artists have been chosen as representative transmitters and listed among the Transmitters of National Level Intangible Cultural Heritage directory. Additionally, 121 items have been chosen as Intangible Cultural Heritage items at the autonomous regional level.
Since the 1990s, the conservation work of Tibetan Intangible Cultural Heritage has been carried out on a wider scale and on a deeper level. The People's Government of the Tibet Autonomous Region and the Ministry of Culture have established 19 "Homes of Folk Art" at the autonomous regional level including those in Mangkang County in Changdu region, two "Homes of Special Art" at the autonomous regional level, five national-level "Homes of Folk Art," two national-level "Homes of Special Art" and one national-level pilot program for national culture and folk culture. In addition, authorities on Tibetan culture have saved, sorted and published 261 ancient books written in Tibetan.
Ma also pointed out that since the 1980s, China has invested nearly 700 million yuan to help Tibet restore and open more than 1,400 temples.
He said that among the "Key Cultural Relic Preservation Projects" listed as important Tibetan construction projects during the "11th Five-Year Plan" period, China has again arranged a special fund of 570 million yuan for 22 major cultural relic preservation and repair projects. The major cultural heritage conservation units in Tibet include Tashi Lhumpo Monastery, Jokhang Temple, Ramoche Temple, Drepung Temple, Sera Monastery, the Langsailin Garden and the Guge Ruins.
http://eng.tibet.cn/news/today/200812/t20081212_442608.htm
Modern media methods promote Tibetan language
2008-11-06 10:23:00
DVDs about Tibetan language learning, photo from CTIC.
Multi-media teaching means are very helpful for children to learn Tibetan, photo from CTIC.
Professional Tibetan TV announcers are dubbing for Tibetan language materials, photo from CTIC.
Students from Gyaidar village center primary school of Damxung are having Tibetan lesson, photo from CTIC.
Those Tibetan DVD courseware materials recorded by two professional Tibetan TV announcers are very popular among the pupils in grade four to grade six.
More and more children of farmers and herdsmen would like to study at school, not only the compulsory education policy in TAR providing free meals, free lodging expenses and free tuition, but also the modern teaching methods and materials attracting them in class.
Tashi, a first grade student in Rawa village, Sog county of Nagqu enjoys his life in school. He said: "Now we can see many multi-media teaching means used in class, such as Tibetan cartoons. This modern teaching methods not only make our lessons more interesting but also help us learning Tibetan faster. "
The contents of Tibetan cartoon are very close to the Tibetan children's life and satisfy the curiosities of children. Shiping, leader of TAR Audio-Visual Education Service said:" This kind of courseware materials could promote the standard Tibetan language and Tibetan culture, inspiring more young Tibetans to be talents in future. "
Part of documentary educational resources, photo from CTIC.
The video resources of traditional Tibetan culture are to be formatted, photo from CTIC.
Students from agricultural and pastoral areas of TAR are learning Tibetan language by modern media method, photo from CTIC.
http://eng.tibet.cn/index/news/200811/t20081106_436934.htm
Flourishing Tibetan publication industry
2008-12-26 14:31:00
A historical leap has been achieved in publication industry of Tibet Autonomous Region, southwestern China. Traditional Tibetan culture is now meeting an unprecedented progress while absorbing culture from other ethnic minorities.
Good development of Tibetan language
Before the peaceful liberation of Tibet, there was not a single news and press undertaking in modern sense. Despite there are a numerous woodcut Buddhism scriptures housed in monasteries or temples in Tibet, they are untouchable for more than 95 per cent of Tibetan serfs. Even till the mid-20th century, publication industry was still undertaken by some woodcarving Buddhism scripture printing monasteries.
After the peaceful liberation of Tibet, printing of Buddhism scripture received further progress. In 1990, the local government of Tibet allocated 500,000 yuan to print the Gangyur of Lhasa edition; in 1998, Gangyur of Bon Religion was published by Tibetan Classic Publishing House; the committee of Dangyur of Bon Religion was set up in 2003, then with documents collected from monasteries and people in Tibet, Qinghai, Sichuan and other Tibetan-inhabited areas, the Dangyur of Bon Religion was published with an investment of 500,000 yuan and then the Dangyur of Buddhism which was firstly carved and printed in Lhasa was came out...
By far, there are more than 60 traditional Buddhism scriptures printing houses in Tibet, the annual printing capacity reaches 63,000 types. The skill of publishing has been gradually improved and refined while remaining original characteristic on the march. It meets the great demands of normal religionary activities and the masses religion believers.
Publication of Tibetan books strides forward
Over the last 40 years, the publication of Tibetan books has received a leap-forward development in many aspects. Firstly, the main body has changed to all the normal Tibetan masses. Secondly, the connotation has taken significant changes to reflect the life of Tibetans and development of society. Thirdly, it has become more modern, world-oriented and comprehensive.
Since 1971, when the Tibetan People's Publishing House was set up, dozens of books concerning traditional Tibetan Buddhism of different sects, have been published. For instance, there are more than 70 copies of Epic of King Gesar, the longest epic in the world, with some three million volumes available by now. Book about Tibetan medicine published by the Tibetan People's Publishing House takes up a large proportion with 70 per cent of the total Tibetan publication.
In 1989, the Tibetan Classic Publishing House was established to be responsible for collecting, arranging and publishing classics. Till now, the Tibetan Classic Publishing Houses has published 8,260 types of Tibetan books together with the Tibetan People's Publishing House.
Nowadays, the publication of Tibetan book is enjoying a surge with 20 per cent annually.
The number of newspapers in Tibet has augmented from 18 in 2002 to current 23, among which Tibetan newspapers occupy 10 while newspapers in Chinese are 13. It covers a wide range from current news, Tibetan literature, medicine, art, education, policy, religion and so on, and some of them can be available free of charge.
Statistics indicates 55.5 million newspapers were published alone in 2007, delivering double-digit growth for two consecutive years. People working in this field become more powerful, by far, there are more than 900 people worked for Tibet's publication industry, among which Tibetan people account for 67 per cent, Han nationality accounts for 30 while people of other ethnic minorities takes up 3 per cent.
Besides, the audio-visual publishing is becoming more influential in recent years. Audio-visual product with Tibetan characteristic gains recognition across the countries and the Tibetan music is also becoming more popular.
http://eng.tibet.cn/index/news/200812/t20081226_445207.htm
Printing Tibetan Tripitaka Tanjur
2008-12-03 16:07:00
Workers of the Buddhism Scripture Printing Office of Tibet Buddhism Association are printing the Tibetan Tripitaka.
Workers are sealing the Buddhism scriptures.
In 1991, the Party Committee of Tibet Autonomous Region and local governments authorized the Tibet Buddhism Association to print the Lhasa edition of Tanjur of Tibetan Tripitaka and set up an office of Tibetan Tripitaka printing. With more than 10-year efforts, the Tibet Buddhism Association has by far printed 50,750 Buddhism scripture plates and finished printing 165 editions of Tanjur.
http://eng.tibet.cn/news/today/200812/t20081203_441324.htm
Talent pool for Tibet
2008-10-28 09:13:00
Over the past half century, the Tibet Nationalities Institute, the first university especially built for Tibetans, has trained more than 30,000 people and greatly contributed to the region's development.
FUTURE LEADERS Zhenni (left) from Dongga Town in Duilong-Deqing County and Cixi (right) from Bomi County read in the library of the Tibet Nationalities Institute
In 1960, Tenzin, 13, was a poor lama in an ancient temple in the grasslands of north Tibet. That year, he walked for nearly 3,000 km to the Tibet Nationalities Institute, where he enrolled.
His classmates ranged from 12 to late 30s in age, some from poor families, others lamas like himself and others county leaders. Some students had enough education to take university courses, while others were starting from primary school textbooks.
Tenzin couldn't speak Mandarin when he entered the school, but with the help of his teachers he progressed well and graduated, going on to Fudan University in Shanghai where he majored in journalism. On leaving university he worked as a reporter for Tibet Daily, and later became a senior leader of the Tibet Autonomous Region.
I was a young lama in north Tibet. The Tibet Nationalities Institute was an important stop in my life and was the starting point of my career, Tenzin recalled. Although I was not a top student in my alma mater, and did not contribute much to her, I have always had a deep feeling for the school, like children feel for their mother.
The Tibet Nationalities Institute was the first school set up by the Chinese Government in Tibet Autonomous Region and its establishment marked the beginning of college education in the region. On October 5, 2008, the school hosted a grand celebration for its 50th anniversary.
Serving Tibet
To train local cadres in Tibet, the Chinese Government officially opened a Tibetan Public School in Xianyang, Shaanxi Province on September 15, 1958, and brought young Tibetan cadres in. On July 1, 1965, the school moved and changed its name to the Tibet Nationalities Institute.
Nearly half of the students of the institute came from Tibet, and went to work in the region after graduation. Many of its 30,000 plus graduates have become leaders at various levels of the Tibetan Government.
Serving Tibet has always been the school's mission. For half a century, it has tailored its education programs to the needs of Tibet. In September 1959, the Tibetan Public School launched its first college-level course in the Tibetan language.
Since 1960, the school has expanded its scope of study to include education, health, agriculture, animal husbandry, veterinarian science, accounting and post and telecommunications. In 1963, the school set up several departments and its courses became more specialized.
After China's reform and opening up in the late 1970s, the school further adjusted its education and organizational structure. In 1977, the school recruited its first batch of bachelor's degree students, who majored in the Tibetan language. The first group of bachelor degree students majoring in Chinese entered the school in 1979.
Life changing
Today, the Tibet Nationalities Institute is a comprehensive university that offers a wide spectrum of courses in science, liberal arts, economics, management, law, medical science and education. It has seven colleges and three departments, offering six master's degree programs, 31 bachelor's degree programs and some two-year vocational education programs, and has a total full-time enrollment of about 10,000 students.
According to Di Fangyao, Director of the Information Office of the Tibet Nationalities Institute, Tibetan students now account for about 47 percent of the total enrollment. Most Tibetan students are from rural areas and are not rich. Their average annual tuition is about 3,000 yuan ($439), which is about half of the national average. Tibetans and students of other ethnic groups mingle in the same classes.
As the education Tibetan students have received before entering the institute varies and is generally not as good as students from other regions, courses at different levels are offered to students in the same grade to accommodate for their specific needs. For instance, English is taught at four levels, and advanced mathematics at three levels.
In addition to standard university textbooks, the school has compiled a series of textbooks and other teaching materials especially for Tibetan students, covering areas such as Tibetan history, Tibetan language, plateau medical science and traditional Tibetan sports.
School resources
At the inception of the school, the teachers and cadres were former PLA solders who once worked in Tibet and fresh graduates of universities in other parts of China. Later, some graduates of the institute were chosen to stay and teach, and the school also had faculty and staff sent from other areas. Since China's reform and opening up, the school has given incentives to attract high caliber people to work there.
In 2003, the Ministry of Education designated five famous universities including Fudan University, Zhongshan University, Xiamen University, Tianjin University and East China Normal University to assist the Tibet Nationalities Institute. In 2007, four more universities were asked to give a helping hand, including Renmin University of China, Beijing Foreign Studies University, Xi'an Jiaotong University and Southeast University.
Now, the faculty of the Tibet Nationalities Institute has better education and professional qualifications. A total of 20 teachers hold doctor's degree, and 163 hold master's degrees. Together, they account for 38 percent of the total. Nine faculty members are professors, accounting for 4 percent of the total, and 114 are associate professors, accounting for 24 percent of the total.
The school has a library covering a total area of 14,821 square meters. The library has two parts, a 4,404-square-meter old section built in 1986 and a 10,417-square-meter new section built in 2005. The library is equipped with an advanced door access system, computer control center and data processing center. The library has 13 reading rooms and research room for experts, with a total of 2,500 seats.
The library holds more than 100 volumes of books or documents, 80 percent of which are hard copies, and the remaining 20 percent are electronic copies.
In the past half a century, the library has emphasized collecting material on Tibetology and ethnic literature and now it has a rich collection in these areas. In 1992, the library set up the Tibetology Information and Document Center to support teaching and research in this area. Now the center stores more than 20,000 volumes of books on Tibetology, of which more than 16,000 are in the Tibetan language, and more than 6,700 are in Mandarin.
Liu Hongshun, President of the Tibet Nationalities Institute is very confident about the future of his school. He said that Tibet has adopted a strategy to boost development through science and technology and through talented people. Human resources are key to economic and social development in Tibet. As the oldest institute of higher learning established for Tibetans, the Tibet Nationalities Institute must shoulder the responsibility of producing talented people who can further the development of Tibet.
http://eng.tibet.cn/news/today/200810/t20081028_434789.htm
Menu of Tibetan Food in Tibetan language published
2008-12-29 10:25:00
Tibetan food, photo by Cao Yang from China Tibet Information Center.
A veteran Tibetan cook has published a book on how to cook Tibetan dishes in Tibetan language, which is the first monograph to introduce Tibetan food.
The book, called Menu of Tibetan Food, expatiates on materials and cuisine of more than 60 dishes of Tibetan food, which are classified into different cuisines, with both text and pictures.
The author Tesering Chosphel is a cook in Lhasa Restaurant who has more than 30-year experience in cooking Tibetan food.
Tibetan food is a general designation of food provided in Tibet Autonomous Region and other Tibetan-inhabited areas in China with Lhasa food as a representative. Tibetan food has now absorbed some exotic food to cater more people of different appetite, thus the variety of Tibetan food is expanded.
http://eng.tibet.cn/index/news/200812/t20081229_445485.htm
Development of Tibetan traditional sports
2008-12-29 15:46:00
A fresco of Potala Palace is showing men with "nine skills" including horseracing, archery, wrestling, carrying stones ect. in 17th century, photo from Tibetdaily.
5,000 years ago, there were human beings living on the Tibetan plateau. Those founded frescos about horseracing, wrestling and archery could show Tibetan's sports activities in ancient times vividly.
Using sharp stones to hunt or work by Tibetan ancestors was the basic condition of developing Tibetan traditional sports. Tibet's traditional sports are the products of the region's particular natural environment and customs.
Tubo Kingdom made great contributions in developing Tibetan culture. Since 7th century AD, horseracing, tug of war, horsemanship, wrestling, yak race, Tibetan Go game and acrobatics became popular on the Tibetan plateau. Army always held many kinds of sports activities to select the strong soldiers.
Yuthok Yonten Gonpo, a famous Tibetan medical scientist in 8th century, had said movement was the essence of life in his book 'The Four-Volume Medical Code' which mainly talked about health care methods by qigong, sports and others.
During the fifth Dalai Lama period, all the male Tibetan should have "nine skills" with 6 sports skills such as archery, long jump, running, swimming, wrestling and rock lifting.
In the 18th century, Tibet's traditional sports held on festivals, rallies, or other ceremonies had been popularized in rural and pastoral areas with more and more female Tibetans joining in. Besides, male Tibetans should have not only "nine skills" but also 30 craftwork skills as well as nine dances.
The first Tibetan Traditional Ethnic Minority Sports Meeting including 7 traditional sports games and 21 performance games was held in 1989 with 80 percent herdsmen athletes attending.
Nowadays, mountaineering has become another popular leading sport game in TAR.
http://eng.tibet.cn/index/news/200812/t20081229_445595.htm
Tibetan folk performances in unparalleled state of development
2008-11-10 13:05:00
Tibetan ethnic minority is one of Chinese 56 ethnic minorities with profound history and splendid culture. On the phylogeny of human civilization, Tibetan people, who mainly dwell in the southwestern part of China, have nurtured a glorious history and colorful culture of their own. Hence, it is honored as "sea of dancing and singing".
There is a great variety of Tibetan dancing and singing, and some are not strange to us, such as "guoxie", "Shinze dance", "Gorchom circle dance ", "duixie", "Changmo" and so on. Too many to list.
Ever since the peaceful liberation of Tibet, protection as well as inheritance of Tibetan folk song and dance has been highly regarding from both central government and Tibet's local governments. With the emancipation the productive forces, Tibetan art enters into an unparalleled state of development.
In the past, ordinary people didn't have access to enjoying the "kaer", "langma" and "Changmo" dances, except those downtown nobles and religionary classes. Nowaday, they become a popular art in both rural and downtown areas of Tibet, so do other Tibetan folk performances.
On the other hand, with the taking up of traditional Tibetan dance and sing and folk art, literary and artistic creation is developing better than ever.
In the old Tibet, there is few art troupes except "Kaerba Troupe", which only served for rich people and nobles, howbeit, "Kaerba Troupe", to be exact, is not a professional one. The condition changed after the peaceful liberation.
Over the last 50 years, the central government has allocated huge investment to set up dozens of decent professional art troupes, scattering both in rural and downtown areas. It was almost infeasible and incogitable in old Tibet.
With the help form central government, Tibet has nurtured many famous artists, such as singer Cedai Drolma. So far, there are more than 3,600 people engaged in artistic career of different types in Tibet.
Tibetan dancing and singing has applause from people around the country, and even the world. In the past 50 years, a great number of works of Tibetan folk performances were created, including some well-known masterpieces.
The debut of "Favonian", "Tibetan Riddle", "On the Way to Happiness", "Shambhala Not Far Away" and etc., has won positive comments from ordinary audiences and experts, marking folk art of Tibet has entered a well development period.
http://eng.tibet.cn/news/today/200811/t20081110_437459.htm
'Tibetan Riddle' to wow Beijing soon
2008-11-27 10:11:00
The famous dancer Yang Liping (L) and the Tibetan singer Gyungdrung Rgyal, answer in the news conference in Beijing, November 26.
Tibetan Riddle turns up in Beijing again, November 26, photos from Xinhua.
The popular choreographer as well as dancer Yang Liping, will again bring the Tibetan Riddle, which receives raves from audiences after 80 performances around the country, back to Beijing on November 26 in the Poly Theater, lasting for five days. Tibetan Riddle is China's first musical dancing performance to display the culture of Tibet in different Tibetan-inhabited areas.
7:30 pm, Nov 26-30
Poly Theater, 14 Dongzhimen Nandajie Street
5218-7105, 5218-7109
http://eng.tibet.cn/index/photo/200811/t20081127_440233.htm
Tibetan Riddle again turns up in Beijing
2008-11-21 14:12:00
The acclaimed choreographer Yang Liping, will again bring the Tibetan Riddle, which receives raves from audiences around the country, back to Beijing on November 26 in the Poly Theater.
According to Yang, some actors/actress were absent from the show this time, but indigenous characteristic of Tibetan culture remains.
Xiang Yanghua, who acts an old Tibetan mom, the core role of the performance, can't attend the performance because of her busyness on Tibet's dancing performance. "I really can't squeeze any time since I'm terribly busy. If I had time, I would join in the performance definitely," she said.
Invited by the famous Tibetan singer Gyungdrung Rgyal, this September, Yang began to rehearse the Tibetan Riddle and soon took the spotlight. According to Yang, the Tibetan Riddle Theater was set up in Sichuan Province this year. Howbeit, the resident performance was laid aside because of the May earthquake.
"A resident performance of Tibetan Riddle in Lhasa is much better than circuit, but no one did it," said Yang.
Yang performs two dances in the show. In one scene, she plays a Tibetan Goddess, and in the other, dressed like a man, she performs a powerful number, which is a far cry from her well-known role as the "Princess of Peacock".
Yang first rose to prominence in 1986 after winning a national contest for her peacock dance. She found further success in 2004 when she created a gala show, Dynamic Yunnan, featuring original dance music numbers and the music of ethnic groups from southwest China's Yunnan.
7:30 pm, Nov 26-30
Poly Theater, 14 Dongzhimen Nandajie Street
5218-7105, 5218-7109
http://eng.tibet.cn/news/today/200811/t20081121_439195.htm
Whole China to witness Tibetan music storm
2008-12-05 11:19:00
Nowadays, Tibetan songs can be heard almost everywhere, from those metropolises like Beijing, Shanghai and Chengdu, to cities in border-areas like Yunnan, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region and Inner Mongolia. There are also many young people who are interested in Tibetan songs. They may sing some pop Tibetan songs when riding, driving or playing skateboard. In Tibet, the song "I'm coming", sung by Tan Weiwei, has become the hottest MRBT to numerous users of China Mobile Communications Corporation (CMCC).
"My success mainly owing to those beautiful Tibetan songs", the new-raised pop singer Tan Weiwei said that on her vocal concert in Lhasa." Tibetan culture is flourishing due to its close exchange with others. Thus Tibetan songs becoming more and more popular."
Nowadays, Tibetan songs are full of vitality. Combining with modern musical elements, traditional Tibetan songs attract people around the nation, for their colorful subjects and a close step to the trend of the times. As a matter of fact, their popularity is inspiring many music producers and singers, not only in Tibet, but also in mainland China.
Recently, Tan Weiwei held a vocal concert in Tibet University, Lhasa. She sang several Tibetan songs which were enjoyed by thousands of audience, such as "Colorful Hada", "The way to Lhasa", "The legend of divine eagle" and so on. Local singers including Qiongxue, Dolma, Pasang etc. came to the concert to perform as honored guests. In addition, a number of her fans from Beijing and Chengdu and other places came to Lhasa especially for her concert. Out of the sponsor's expectation, hundreds of Tan Weiwei's Tibetan songs CD sold out quickly before the concert. Many students of Tibet University lined up for her name-signing.
It is no wonder that Tan Weiwei always says that "Tibet is my second hometown. Tibetan songs provide inspirations to my music and performances."
People of this field deemed highly of the popularity of Tibetan songs, for they have rich connotations as well as continuous innovations. In addition, the number of creators and performers is growing quickly.
http://eng.tibet.cn/index/news/200812/t20081205_441578.htm
'Tibetan Riddle' debuts in Zhengzhou
2008-12-07 10:43:00
Yang Liping in her performance, photo by Zhao Peng from Xinhua, December 5.
Passionate actors, photo by Zhao Peng from Xinhua, December 5.
Yang Liping in her performance (L), photo by Zhao Peng from Xinhua, December 5.
Together with actors/actress from Tibetan areas around the country, the popular dancer Yang Liping, performed the "Tibetan Riddle" on December 5 in Henan Arts Center in Zhengzhou, capital of Henan Province. "Tibetan Riddle" is China's first musical dancing performance to display the culture of Tibet in different Tibetan-inhabited areas.
http://eng.tibet.cn/index/photo/200812/t20081207_441745.htm
Traditional Tibetan costumes to be new fashion trend
2008-12-25 11:07:00
Nowadays, traditional Tibetan costumes become a new fashion trend as more and more people fall love with Tibetan costumes.
This is the beautiful traditional Tibetan costume from Derge on the 2007 Beijing Dahongmen International Fashion Festivall, photo from Beijing evenings. A set of traditional Tibetan costumes worthy of more than 10 million yuan have attracted people's attentions on the festival, held on Oct 21, 2007. This Tibetan costume weighed more than 25 kilograms, with 3 belts inlaid precious stones such as corals showing wealth and good fortune.
Miss Wang from Shanghai had visited Tibet for three times and said:"Every time I will buy many traditional Tibetan costumes. I like wearing them on the street in Lhasa. Traditional Tibetan costumes are different from common clothes, because they can always give me the fresh feeling."
Mr Zhang, a worker in Lhasa, said he had collected 3 Tibetan fur jackets. He said:"Tibetan fur jacket is the best clothes to keep warm in winter. Besides, I think it's cool to be like a shepherd."
With the supports from TAR government, Tibetan traditional clothing industry is developing rapidly. Deyang, Tibetan costume shop owner in Lhasa, feels very happy for her booming business in 8 years. "More and more buyers at home and abroad come to order the clothes here. They enjoy the wild, free feeling by wearing the long-sleeved, wide waist and colorful traditional Tibetan costumes," she said.
http://eng.tibet.cn/index/sports/200812/t20081225_445049.htm
Gala marks 50th anniversary of TAR Song & Dance Troupe
2008-12-29 10:59:00
Tibetan singer Kelzang Chodron sings in the gala, photo from Xinhua, December 28, 2008.
Men's group dance "Earth Soul", photo from Xinhua, December 28, 2008.
Tibetan folk dance "Heavenly Tibet", photo from Xinhua, December 28, 2008.
Tibetan girls are dancing for the evening gala, photo from Xinhua, December 28, 2008.
Tibetan girls are dancing for the evening gala, photo from Xinhua, December 28, 2008.
On December 28, Lhasa held an evening gala lasting for two hours to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the establishment of Tibet Autonomous Region Song & Dance Troupe.
http://eng.tibet.cn/index/photo/200812/t20081229_445474.htm
Tibetan cultural & Art exhibition rises curtain in Shanghai
2008-12-14 14:19:00
The attending officials are cutting the ribbon on the opening ceremony, photo from CTIC by fanfan.
Raidi, vice-chairman of 10th National People's Congress committee is delivering a speech on the opening ceremony, photo from CTIC by fanfan.
Yao Xiaodu, director of Shanghai United Front Work Department of the Communist Party of China is addressing at the opening ceremony, photo from CTIC by fanfan.
Gyari¡¤Losang Tenzin, vice chairman of the TAR Government and China Association for Preservation and Development of Tibetan Culture (CAPDTC) is giving a speech on the opening ceremony, photo from CTIC by fanfan.
On December 13, the "Auspicious Hada-Tibetan Cultural & Art Exhibition" rose its curtain in Shanghai East Asia Exhibition Hall after about 2-year preparation with over 1 million yuan investment. Raidi, vice-chairman of 10th National People's Congress committee and some other officials attended the opening ceremony.
http://eng.tibet.cn/index/photo/200812/t20081214_443057.htm
Raidi: Supports from around China ensure Tibet's stability
2008-12-19 15:25:00
Raidi, vice-chairman of 10th National People's Congress, visits the Tibetan Culture & Art Tour Exhibition held in Shanghai, photo by Fan Fan from China Tibet Information Center.
Raidi, vice-chairman of 10th National People's Congress, addresses in the opening ceremony of the Tibetan Culture & Art Tour Exhibition in Shanghai, photo by Fan Fan from China Tibet Information Center.
"Without concern from the central government and supports from around the country, Tibet couldn't be as stable and satisfying as it is now," Raidi, vice-chairman of 10th National People's Congress, addressed for the opening ceremony of the Tibetan Culture & Art Tour Exhibition, in Shanghai.
He said it was an exceptional great decision for China to mobilize a nationwide counterpart support toward Tibet's development. Relevant government departments, other provinces, municipalities as well as state-run enterprises, have been asked to aid their counterparts in the region. With huge financial, material and human resources investments, their contributions were proved to be very effective for the progresses of Tibet's politics, culture, society and economy, becoming a force to be reckoned with in improving living standard for people of different ethnic minorities in Tibet Autonomous Region.
Historically, Tibet has once experienced the bloody feudal serfdom society integrating with religion and politics up to the middle of last century. The serfs who take up 95 per cent of the total population in Tibet enjoyed no freedom and were undergone brutal treatment and oppression. They were deprived of schooling at that time. Perennial feudal serfdom of old Tibet has strangled the vital force of the society and led to a downfall and decadence of Tibetan culture, according to Raidi.
Raidi also pointed out that with the establishment of People's Republic of China, especially after China's reform and opening-up, Tibetan culture was infused with hope and vitality. With enormous financial and material investments, protection of Tibetan culture is now facing an unprecedented prosperity.
As the first stop of tour exhibition, 'Auspicious Hada' exhibition is of great significance. Looking back on the last 30 years, politics, culture, society and economy in Tibet have made a big stride forward, which should owe to the altruistic supports from both the central government and people around the countries, Raidi said.
Raidi held that the exhibition aimed to bring a new Tibet with socially stable, ethnic minority united, cultural prosperity and economic leap-forward, to the public, enable more to understand the world-striking changes of Tibet and serve as a platform for Tibetan culture to be known around the world. Besides, the exhibition is also a powerful confutation to so-called "cultural genocide" brought forward by the Daial clique.
At the end of his speech he stressed that he has strong confidence that Tibetan culture will surely receive better as well as greater development and protection under the leadership of the Communist Party of China and support from the public.
http://eng.tibet.cn/index/news/200812/t20081219_444132.htm
Nyangri: ancient cultural township
2008-11-09 09:58:00
Nyangri township locates at the northern outskirts of Lhasa with 4000 years history since the beginning of the Neolithic Age, is famous for Tibetan opera culture, Sera Monastery and also some ancient buildings such as water mill and oil workshop.
Gaymi water mill, photo from CTIC.
Gaymi water mill was built in the seventeenth century to process Zanba, flour and cattle food. The name "Gaymi" means "to taste delicious food". It was said that the fifth Dalai Lama had tasted the Zanba made in Gaymi water mill during his closed-door practice session in Pabanga Songtsan cave. Since then 15th and 30th every month of Tibetan calendar are viewed as auspicious days to make Zanba for Dalai Lamas.
During the seventh Dalai Lama's period, Gaymi water mill was named "Gaymi Qoigo" officially, and "Qoigo" means water mill in Tibetan language. At that time, the highland barley was taken to Gaymi water mill by Dalai's personal chef to supervise the process of Zanba. Besides, "Gaymi Qoigo" different from other water mills was it enjoyed the priority of being repaired and using water resource.
Ancient oil workshop, photo from CTIC.
Tibetans like using rapeseed oil for cook, so ancient oil workshops are very common in Tibet. First, the rapeseed need washing in clean water, then dried in the sun. Second, polishing and steam cooking the cleaned rapeseed with grinders. Then to squeeze oil following the use of leverage. At the same time, the rapeseed residues are used as cattle food.
Moreover, Nyangri is famous for its rural folk song and dance and Tibetan opera performances, which show the Tibetan folk cultures well.
Ancient agricultural equipments, photo from CTIC.
Ancient agricultural equipments, photo from CTIC.
Ancient agricultural equipments, photo from CTIC.
The steam pot and alcohol jars, photo from CTIC.
The ancient Tibetan kitchen, photo from CTIC.
http://eng.tibet.cn/index/news/200811/t20081109_437326.htm
Qizheng Tibet Medicine Plant serves Tibetans
2008-11-09 13:59:00
Qizheng Tibet Medicine Plant locates at Bayi township of Nyingchi in TAR, photo from CTIC.
Penba Tsering, production director of Qizheng Tibet Medicine Plant is introducing Tibetan Medicine, photo from CTIC.
Thangka about human embryonic development, photo from CTIC.
Variety of Tibetan medicine, photo from CTIC.
Qizheng Tibet Medicine Plant locates at Bayi township of Nyingchi in TAR, brings more and more profits to Tibetans.
Natural Tibetan medicine industry is developing fast in TAR where abundant natural resources are located. Before the refrom and opening-up policy, Tibetan medicine knowledge under control of monks are mainly served for the nobility and the privileged Tibetan class. Since reform and opening-up, Qizheng Tibet Medicine Plant is developing faster and faster with government's supports.
Penba Tsering, production director of Qizheng Tibet Medicine Plant said:"Every year our government provides us 5-6 million yuan as financial support for developing. Now Qizheng Tibet Medicine Plant has four pharmaceutical factories. Our patented product 'Pain killer plaster' is hot-selling in domestic and foreign markets. "
Tibetan medicine has become the second largest pillar industry in TAR, and has also made great contribution to labor and employment.
http://eng.tibet.cn/index/news/200811/t20081109_437362.htm
Hada on the water faucet
2008-12-03 14:40:00
The sluice pool on the mountainside is not an easy project, photo by Gu Yu from China Tibet Information Center.
Losang Drolkar's home, photo by Shi Yuandao from China Tibet Information Center.
Villagers pose with staff from the TAR Women's Federation, photo by Shi Yuandao from China Tibet Information Center.
Paggarxoi Village of Dagze County, Lhasa, photo by Gu Yu from China Tibet Information Center.
In the Tibet Autonomous Region, Hada represents good wishes, and nowadays it can be seen on water faucets of rural families.
On November 28, the journalists from China Tibet Information Center visited Paggarxoi Village of Dagze County, Lhasa to know about the implementation of the "Mother Water Celler" project. When journalists visited Losang Drolkar's house, they saw white hada on a water faucet. The 66-year-old Tibetan woman told the reporter:"It was very convenient for us to take water before the water celler was built. And nowadays we are so happy because we can enjoy clean water without much efforts."
Launched by China Women's Development Foundation (CWDF) of All-China Women's Federation since 2001, the project has benefited more than 50,000 people with over 108 million yuan. Up to the end of 2006, 28 Solar Thermal wells, 14 wide wells and 405 hand pressure wells have been completed.
The project has improved the local people's life a lot. Taking Gaiyi Village of Xigaze Prefecture for example, before villagers had to take water from a hill 3 kilometers away and the per capita income was only about 1,400 yuan with only 60 people working outside. After the water celler of the village has been built, the per capita income has reached more than 2,000 yuan with over 100 villagers working outside.
(1 USD euqals about 6.85 yuan.)
http://eng.tibet.cn/index/news/200812/t20081203_441287.htm
Premier: China to boost economic, social development in Tibetan regions
2008-10-16 08:48:00
China will take measures to boost economic and social development in Tibetan regions in four provinces, according to a notice about a meeting chaired by Premier Wen Jiabao.
Wednesday's executive meeting of the State Council, the country's Cabinet, discussed how to support development in the Tibetan regions of Qinghai, Sichuan, Yunnan and Gansu provinces.
Tibetan regions in these areas are autonomous where Tibetans and people of other nationalities live together. The regions are the important plateau ecological barrier that cover the head-stream area of major rivers, such as the Yellow, Yangtze and Lancang.
The ecological environment in these areas are fragile with natural disasters occurring frequently. Infrastructure remained less developed, which hindered the development in these areas, the meeting said.
Measures should be taken to protect and build the ecological environment and improve people's living standard in these areas, and to make the income of urban and rural residents approach or reach the average level in western China by 2012 and approach national average by 2020.
Moreover, public services including education, public health and medical services should be improved in these areas, and infrastructure construction should be carried out to better support development.
http://eng.tibet.cn/index/news/200810/t20081016_432877.htm
Tibetan pupils receive better education
2008-10-16 13:29:00
Drolma Lhatse, a six-grade Tibetan student from Deqin County Demonstration Primary School of Deqen Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture in Yunnan Province is having computer class with her classmates, photo from Xinhua, October 15.
Having English class, photo from Xinhua, October 15.
Performing traditional Tibetan dance after class, photo from Xinhua, October 15.
Playing basketball, photo from Xinhua, October 15.
In recent years, the ethnic education cause of Deqen Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture in Yunnan Province is rapidly developing as the enrollment rate comes to 99 per cent for Tibetan children. Since 2007, Deqen launched a project to offer subsidy to plateau children and hundreds of children of local farmers and herdsmen have benefited from the mentioned project.
http://eng.tibet.cn/index/news/200810/t20081016_433022.htm
Medical experts hold further consultation for Tibetan children
2008-10-16 13:55:00
October 15, Beijing Anzhen Hospital and People Hospital of TAR held further consultation for hundreds of children with congenital cardiovascular disease, who had heart surgeries free of charge since 2004.
The doctors are examing for the children, photo from Xinhua.
http://eng.tibet.cn/index/news/200810/t20081016_433023.htm
Tibet's Nanggarze county: Nine-year compulsory education takes effect
2008-10-24 10:39:00
A teacher is correcting pupils' homework, photo from Xinhua, Oct 12.
Students are playing, photo from Xinhua, Oct 11.
Nine-year compulsory education in Tibet's Nanggarze county has achieved great effect since 2005. The enrollment of pupils reached 100% and none of pupils dropped out of school. 82% of students continues to study in senior schools after they finish their study in junior schools.
http://eng.tibet.cn/index/photo/200810/t20081024_434249.htm
Lajia girl school in Golog Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture of Qinghai Province
08:44, October 21, 2008
Photo taken on Oct. 17, 2008, shows the Lajia girls school standing under the feet of a hill in Golog Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture of Qinghai Province. The girl school founded in 2005 has made more than 300 Tibetan girls fulfill their "school dream" here.(Xinhua Photo)
Students read books in the classroom of the Lajia girl school in Golog Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture of Qinghai Province on Oct. 17, 2008.
Girls carry water in front of the Lajia girl school in Golog Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture of Qinghai Province on Oct. 17, 2008.
http://english.peopledaily.com.cn/90001/90783/6518314.html
Compulsory education implements in Tibet
2008-10-29 13:16:00
Children smile in front of a teaching building in Coqen County of Ngari Prefecture, Tibet, photo from chinatibetnews.
In 2007, Tibet became the first one in China to remit tuition fee and incidental expenses for primary and middle school students since the central government launched a policy of offering free education for children in Tibet in 1985.
http://eng.tibet.cn/index/news/200810/t20081029_435201.htm
National anthem sung at Khechu Cona County
2008-12-01 16:10:00
A primary school at border of Khechu consisted of 2 teachers and 19 students is the only school far away from city in Cona County.
Every day before starting new lessons, all the students will sing the national anthem loudly and clearly with the national flag raising slowly.
Students are singing national anthem loudly and clearly, photo from tibetdaily.
http://eng.tibet.cn/index/news/200812/t20081201_440913.htm
What is happening in Aba Prefecture?
Peace and development in Aba Prefecture.
Quake-hit Zagunao Town impresses journalists
2008-09-18 13:07:00
Some journalists have recently visited the Zagunao Town, center of the Li County of Aba Tibetan and Qiang Autonomous Prefecture in Sichuan Province. Though hit by the earthquake on May 12, the town impresses journalists with the poeple's vitality and optimism.
The memorable stone(May/12), photo by Wang Fei from China Tibet Information Center.
The clean street, photo by Wang Fei from China Tibet Information Center.
A new kindergarten, photo by Wang Fei from China Tibet Information Center.
Selling fried fritters in this way, photo by Wang Fei from China Tibet Information Center.
Shop in a tent, photo by Min Wen from China Tibet Information Center.
In spite of difficult conditions, the local people in the Zagunao Town lead thier life quietly without complaint and life here are in order. No shadow of disaster can be seen in this quake-hit place.
http://eng.tibet.cn/news/today/200809/t20080918_427045.htm
In front of the town hall there are temporary tents for Earthquake victims.
Inside each tents there is always a Buddhist altar
Tibetan mother with her family visiting the quake support center.
Harvest time for the region
Tibetan farmers going home for lunch
A typical Tibetan residence along the roadside
Every morning Han and Tibetan children going to school together.
Most buildings at Aba Prefecture are still standing
http://eng.tibet.cn/news/today/200809/t20080918_427045.htm
470,000 Tibetan herds people in Sichuan to move into brick houses
13:14, October 11, 2008
The government of southwest China's Sichuan Province plans to help 470,000 Tibetan herds people in the region to settle down in permanent brick houses in the next four years.
The provincial government will input 5 billion yuan (735 million U.S. dollars) into the project to build new houses and villages as well as primary schools, clinics, offices and other public service infrastructure in the villages.
Local authorities will also invite industrial businesses to design and manufacture special tents and other living products tailored to the needs of high and cold areas for the herds people, in a bid to provide a "modern life" in their nomadic life, according to a provincial government meeting held on Friday.
Statistics show that among the total 533,000 herds people in Sichuan, 219,000 still have no fixed residences and 254,000 are living in shanty houses.
Similar housing projects have also been carried out in the neighboring Tibet Autonomous Region and northwestern provinces of Qinghai and Gansu, in a hope to improve the living conditions and public services for the nomadic Tibetan communities.
Source: Xinhua
http://english.peopledaily.com.cn/90001/90776/90882/6513396.html
There is no conflict of any kind at Aba Prefecture today
Dalai Lama is an Out-and-Out lying in France on August 28, 2008.
Let me present the situation at Aba Prefecture today with 3 examples:
1. Life of ordinary Tibetan people: "Life continues in quake-hit Tibetan areas"
2. A Han and Tibetan kids mixed up school: "Children's smile in quake-hit school"
3. A Tibetan Buddhism Monastery: "Lamas in Aba plant spruce trees for 08 Olympic"
All photos here come from the following websites:
http://eng.tibet.cn/index/photo/200809/t20080922_427494.htm
http://eng.tibet.cn/news/today/200809/t20080918_427045.htm
http://eng.tibet.cn/index/news/200809/t20080922_427556.htm
http://info.tibet.cn/news/xzxw/shjj/200809/t20080917_426770.htm
http://eng.tibet.cn/news/today/200804/t20080415_376276.htm
Life continues in quake-hit Tibetan areas
10:46, September 25, 2008
Norbu(a Tibetan), the host, photo by Wang Fei from China Tibet Information Center.
Yinzhi(a Tibetan), the hostess, photo by Wang Fei from China Tibet Information Center.
Repairers for the house, photo by Wang Fei from China Tibet Information Center.
Mending the basket, photo by Wang Fei from China Tibet Information Center.
Cleaning the collapsed roof, photo by Wang Fei from China Tibet Information Center. <
Norbu, host of a Tibetan family, lost his house and livelihood when the May 12 quake shook his hometown in Samen Village in Aba Tibetan and Qiang Autonomous Prefecture of southwest China's Sichuan Province, yet four months after the tragedy, when we step into this small village with 51 Tibetan households, we found that those quake survivors including Norbu family have devoted themselves to the reconstruction of their houses and lives.
Busy working on repairing the roof, Norbu plans to rebuild a relatively comfortable house where his family can live for the next couple of years.
"We really suffer from huge lost and at that time we live in a temporary tent not for from our damaged house," pointed to the tent, says Norbu. "Now, the government is offering a daily stipend of 10 yuan and 500 grams of food. There is no problem for our basic life. What we have problem is the cost for rebuilding our house. I have spent 200,000 yuan to build this house before the quake and it needs about 30,000 yuan to repair the roof and terrace, but we can only get a subsidy of 5,000 yuan from the prefecture government, of course the amount is not enough. But all of us obviously know that we have so many households suffering from the disaster, it is really not easy for the government to deal with."
More than 5 million people were left homeless after the earthquake in Sichuan Province. The government has given 5,000 yuan to each family who lost their home to build makeshift accommodation in remote villages. Furthermore, the government has also designated 19 provinces and municipalities to each aid a county in the worst hit quake areas. These provinces are helping to rebuild schools, hospitals and other infrastructure projects such as roads, electricity and gas supply systems.
Now the survivors themselves are also struggling to rebuild new lives as locals start repairing the damaged houses once home to so many people and some residents come back to their daily handicraft work. Peace and leisure, this is what we have seen at Zada Village of Aba Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture as a Tibetan girl is sewing at a sartorius and two Tibetan boys are mending fishing net opposing to the clear quake trail.
"We must depend on the government, but we also need the power of ourselves," said Shenzha Rgyal, a retired Tibetan soldier who becomes the host to a small restaurant in Li County. "Evacuating guests in my restaurant is my first act when the quake came and I also join in the volunteer team to give a hand to material-transport as well as establishing temporary tents for some ten households."
As a matter of fact, there are countless volunteers including those Sichuan locals and some others from all over the world giving a hand to the rescue as well as the reconstruction.
Without waiting for signals from the authoritarian government, Liu Jin, a 22-year-old student in China's richest city, Shanghai, joined tens of thousands of volunteers to offer help to the needy quake-sufferers.
"I believe people will unite even better in the future and we will have much experience if there comes another disaster," said a volunteer.
As time goes by, life continues in the quake-hit areas and tomorrow is another day.
By China Tibet Information Center
http://english.peopledaily.com.cn/90001/90782/6505962.html
Children's smile in quake-hit school
2008-09-22 11:12:00
Tibetan and Han children singing together in class
A typical school
Tibetan and Han children together in same class
'Self help against Quake'&'Welcome Olympic' in reading room
Temporary classrooms after Earthquake
Children's life in Guergou Primary School, photo by Wang Fei from China Tibet Information Center.
Journalists from China Tibet Information Center recently visited Guergou Primary School in Aba Tibetan and Qiang Autonomous Prefecture in Sichuan Province, which was stricken by the earthquake on May 12.
The school has been maintained and pupils here have restored to their normal school life. The children were seen playing and smiling, which almost made visitors forget that they had suffered the earthquake.
http://eng.tibet.cn/index/news/200809/t20080922_427556.htm
Modern media methods promote Tibetan language
click here
Lamas in Aba plant spruce trees for 08 Olympic
2008-04-15 11:04:00 <
Lamas attend the Chinese national flag raising ceremony at the Chali Temple in Aba County of southwest China's Sichuan Province on April 14, 2008. After the flag raising ceremony, the lamas planted more than 1,000 spruce trees on the hills near the temple to wish the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games a success. (photo from Xinhua by Zhao Bo)
Two lamas raise the Chinese national flag during the flag raising ceremony at the Chali Temple in Aba County of southwest China's Sichuan Province on April 14, 2008. After the flag raising ceremony, the lamas planted more than 1,000 spruce trees on the hills near the temple to wish the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games a success. (photo from Xinhua by Hai Mingwei)
Lamas of the Chali Temple prepare to plant spruce trees in Aba County of southwest China's Sichuan Province on April 14, 2008. After the Chinese national flag raising ceremony, the lamas planted more than 1,000 spruce trees on the hills near the temple to wish the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games a success. (photo from Xinhua by Zhao Bo)
Lamas of the Chali Temple plant spruce trees in Aba County of southwest China's Sichuan Province on April 14, 2008. After the Chinese national flag raising ceremony, the lamas planted more than 1,000 spruce trees on the hills near the temple to wish the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games a success. (photo from Xinhua by Zhao Bo)
Lamas of the Chali Temple plant spruce trees in Aba County of southwest China's Sichuan Province on April 14, 2008. After the Chinese national flag raising ceremony, the lamas planted more than 1,000 spruce trees on the hills near the temple to wish the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games a success. (photo from Xinhua by Ren Ke)
http://eng.tibet.cn/news/today/200804/t20080415_376276.htm
Visiting Sangdan Temple
2008-10-15 10:44:00
Journalists from China Tibet Information Center have recently visited the Zaida Village of Aba Tibetan and Qiang Autonomous
Prefecture in Sichuan Province, which was stricken by the earthquake on May 12.
Longzhen Luoerri, a monk from Sangdan Temple, photo by Wang Fei from China Tibet Information Center.
As a temple for Nyingma Sect of Tibetan Buddhism, Sangdan Temple is located in hill of Jibi Town of Li County. Nowadays, there are 54 monks registered and four of them live in the temple while the others live at home. The temple launches a few Buddhism activities every year, which attract more than one thousand people nearby.
In a temporary house near the 317 National Highway, journalists of CTIC had a talk with Longzhen Luoerri, a monk from Sangdan Temple who is called Master Long by the local people.
Thin but in high spirits, Master Long looked excited when mentioning the earthquake four months ago. "By watching TV, I knew so many people died in the quake, which was so miserable. I was moved as well because thousands of soldiers and volunteers came to help. Monks of our temple recited scriptures for the dead for two days and recited scriptures for the living for two days as well to pray them safe and lucky," said Master Long.
As the temple beside the 317 National Highway, which is a must-be road for people who came to help and the local sufferers. In quite a long period after the quake, there had been people coming and going. Master Long's family runs a restaurant about 259 kilometers far away and he set a reception spot for the people who passed by. The restaurant offered free service such as providing water, electricity and etc. They even donated the materials that the government allocated to them to the sufferers in the most affected areas. Master Long's family also donated money to those people in worse conditions.
As for the temple after the quake, Master Long said: "The government cares about our temple very much. We got 200 kg of rice and 50 kg of cooking oil as soon as the town received the first batch of donation. In addition, tents and cloth bars were provided. A 29-inch color TV was allocated to us specially in order to let the monks enjoy the Olympic Games. We were appreciated and would like to do some things too. So we donated 10,000 yuan in the name of Sangdan Temple and we also organized six young monks to the town as volunteers to carry donated materials."
In the end, Master Long said affectionately: "I heard from the elder in their eighties that quite many people died in Diexi Earthquake many years before. At that time, no one cared about the people. Now the Communist Party of China treat Tibetan people so well. So many things were sent after the quake: food including milk, biscuits, cans, brand-new clothes including rain boots, blankets, radios, mobiles, and etc. The Party and the central government are kind indeed. Dalai Lama has kept on saying that he cares about Tibetan people, but we never saw him give us even a coin. At present, he even wants to split China. That is mirage!"
http://eng.tibet.cn/news/today/200810/t20081015_432656.htm
There has not been any Slaughter of Tibetans in Aba Prefecture
Dalai Lama is an Out-and-Out lying in France on August 28, 2008.
Greeting Tibetan Buddhism believers who called this Nobel Peace "lying"
Religious autocracy under the cover of democracy
click here
Flowers for Teachers' Day
2008-09-10 10:42:00
Teachers receive flowers in TAR Tibetan Theatre, photo from chinatibetnews.com, September 8.
The commendation conference, photo from chinatibetnews.com, September 9.
To greet the 24th Teachers' Day, a commendation conference for excellent teachers in Chengguan District of Lhasa was held in Tibetan Theatre of the Tibet Autonomous Region (TAR) on September 8 and September 9.
Students presented flowers to their teachers and performed with them after the conference.
http://eng.tibet.cn/index/photo/200809/t20080910_425460.htm
Disabled children greet Beijing Paralympic Games
2008-09-07 13:50:00
Students of Lhasa Special Education School are performing a dance with sign language on September 5, photo from Xinhua.
Students of Lhasa Special Education School are performing a dance with sign language on September 5, photo from Xinhua.
Lhasa Special Education School in Tibet Autonomous Region held a "welcoming Paralympic Games, exceeding our goals "performing activity on September 5. Students organized and preformed by themselves to show their joy of the opening of Beijing Paralympic Games.
http://eng.tibet.cn/index/sports/200809/t20080909_425254.htm
Help for needy blind Tibetan children
2008-09-10 13:43:00
Wang Shi, a successful businessman from Shenzhen visits the blind Tibetan children in Lhasa, photo from Xinhua, September 9.
Since 2003, a Shenzhen company has funded Tibet Lhasa Blind Children School with over one million yuan and they have taken good care of those needy children.
http://eng.tibet.cn/news/today/200809/t20080910_425549.htm
Tibetan disabled enjoy life
2008-09-16 11:08:00
The 17-year-old Puqiong is learning to paint, photo from Tibet Daily.
With the help from the local government, nowadays more than 300 disabled people in the Tibet Autonomous Region are receiving labour training.
http://eng.tibet.cn/index/news/200809/t20080916_426609.htm
UN: Beijing Paralympics boost China's cause of the disabled
2008-09-16 10:01:00
"The Beijing Paralympics has boosted China's cause of disabled people," Khalid Malik, the United Nations (UN) resident coordinator in China, said on Monday morning.
"It leaves a legacy and promotes social awareness for the disabled," the Pakistani said.
"The Beijing Paralympics demonstrates the abilities of the disabled people, and evokes social respects for them. There is no magical program to solve the problems of people with disabilities in a one time, one program, but China has done a lot consecutively during the past decades."
Besides evoking more social awareness for the cause of the disabled, China has cooperated with international organizations to ensure the disabled in the country enjoy equal rights in terms of education and employment.
It has worked with the International Labor Organization global body to develop equal opportunity legislation for those with disability in the workplace, which has supported training for employment opportunities.
China is not only among the first signatories of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities but it ratified this convention in June.
"The UN highly appreciates the tremendous leadership efforts of China in this regard," said Malik.
"The entering into force of the convention has proved again China's intensive concentration in advancing human rights for all and development for all."
The newly-amended Law on Protection of the Disabled of China, which took effect on July 1, added details about financial support, medical care and rehabilitation services for the disabled, along with preferential policies on jobs and taxation.
Chen Ya'an, a China Disabled Persons' Federation official, pointed out 75 percent of the country's disabled were in rural areas. He said the federation would provide them with financial and technological support to help establish their own businesses, such as family workshops, farming and animal production.
http://eng.tibet.cn/index/news/200809/t20080916_426605.htm
Paralympic Games will bring 'huge benefits'
2008-09-10 10:31:00
The Paralympic Games will be tremendously beneficial to Chinese society, and especially the disabled community, a senior US official said yesterday in Beijing.
"When people see what people with disabilities can accomplish, they realize what power the Games has and how it can help make society better," James Peake, secretary of veteran affairs and head of the US Paralympic delegation, said.
"It's a gradual thing for governments to make things more accessible to disabled people. But something like the Paralympics can help things to move forward more quickly," he said.
On a visit to the Paralympic Village yesterday, Peake said he was impressed by the facilities and services provided to the athletes.
"Blind athletes don't have to worry about finding their way around, and for people in wheelchairs, there are ramps in place of stairs," he said.
The opportunity to mingle with some of the American athletes at the village was also a great honor, he said.
"The delegation I have had the honor to lead has people who have set world records and won multiple gold medals," he said. "Each one has a magnificent story and I couldn't be prouder of them."
Peake, who arrived in Beijing on Thursday and left late yesterday, visited several competition venues to watch wheelchair basketball, goalball, swimming, and track and field events.
"I have great expectations for them (the American delegation) and I'm very pleased to see their success," he said.
He was also full of praise for Saturday's opening ceremony.
"It wasn't just a repeat of the wonderful opening of the Olympics. It was very well thought out and very meaningful," he said.
China has done a magnificent job of staging the Paralympic Games, Peake said.
"And all the millions who have watched it on TV will understand what kind of capability China has."
The Olympics and Paralympics will leave a great legacy of goodwill and friendship, he said.
"There is a tremendous spirit of camaraderie when the athletes representing different countries come together at the finish line to congratulate each other, even though some have won and some have lost," he said.
http://eng.tibet.cn/index/news/200809/t20080910_425462.htm
60,000 disabled people in Tibet benefit from rehabilitation services in past five years
2008-09-10 13:03:00
About 60,000 people with disabilities in Tibet Autonomous Region have benefited from rehabilitation services such as prosthetic limbs and sign language training in the past five years, according to the regional disabled persons federation.
The region has set up five auxiliary equipment service stations for the disabled since 2003, said Gong Demin, a Tibet Disabled Persons Federation official.
Xerab Dainzin, 21, lost his right leg in a traffic accident last year. He asked for a new leg from the fitting station in the capital Lhasa. The station cooperates with Handicap International (Belgium) - an international organization which helps with rehabilitation for the disabled.
The station prices each artificial limb at 1,700 yuan (247 U.S. dollars) or below - lower than that in other provinces. If a disabled person has financial difficulties, it will offer an artificial limb for free.
"The station has accepted my application and I will be able to have an artificial limb," said the young man. "The artificial limb is the only hope for me to be no longer a burden of my family."
In addition, since 1999, about 40,000 cataract patients in the region have regained sight after operations, mostly for free, thanks to the joint efforts of the regional government and volunteer medical teams. The cataract rate on the Tibetan plateau is double that of other areas in China.
Most of the rehabilitation projects have been jointly carried out by the regional government and charity organizations from both home and abroad. Some of them are free.
To help the deaf and dumb Tibetans, the region has developed the deaf language in Tibetan and started pilot teaching projects. A hand language dictionary in the Tibetan language has been published.
The region aims to help all the disabled in the region with access to rehabilitation services by 2015, according to the Tibet Disabled Persons Federation.
China has a disabled population of 83 million.
http://eng.tibet.cn/index/news/200809/t20080910_425514.htm
This Tibetan School below is Outside of Tibet Autonomous Region.
Zegai Primary Boarding School is in Heishui County in
Aba Tibetan and Qiang Autonomous Prefecture of Sichuan Province.
All Tibetan schools, inside or outside Tibet, are well taken care of.
Primary boarding school in quake-hit areas
2008-09-10 14:51:00
As a rural boarding school, the Zegai Primary School in Heishui County in Aba Tibetan and Qiang Autonomous Prefecture of Sichuan Province impressed the journalist a lot with its tidy environment, modern equipment, the teachers' thoughtfulness, and the students' smile.
Built in 1981 and reconstructed in 2003, Zegai Primary School nowadays has 360 students, all of whom are Tibetans, and over two thirds of its 32 teachers are Tibetans. Students here enjoy their life with the teachers' care.
This school is in the middle of nowhere...
It is a boarding school because students
(mostly coming from nomads and farming families)
are scattered over a very large region.
Children in class, photo from China Tibet Information Center.
Overlooking the school, photo from China Tibet Information Center.
For 8 years Ms Chen has been Head Teacher of school Dormitory.
She(a Han) is the loving mother of all children in this Tibetan School,
waking up every night to ensure children didn't kick off their blankets.
Students on play ground in School.
A physical education class
The Computer Room, photo from China Tibet Information Center.
The Educational Equipment storage room
every item is cataloged and computer listed.
Some Educational Equipment on display
Queuing up for dinner, photo from China Tibet Information Center.
Disinfecting cabinets, photo from China Tibet Information Center.
8.0 Earthquake at Aba did not dampen spirit of this school.
In fact, it made school body much more stronger than before.
Zemei, a 11-year-old Tibetan girl, told the journalist: "Teachers here treat us well and I can have an egg in the morning and the dinner is nutritious too. I like English and I hope one day I can visit other countries." Another 13-year-old pupil, Su Langchu said that she liked computer and hoped to learn more by Internet.
France 2008.08.24 Dalai Lama announced 150 Tibetans were slaughtered in Aba Prefecture.
As always Dalai Lama was proven 'Lying' again because Aba Slaughter never happened.
http://eng.tibet.cn/news/today/200809/t20080910_425583.htm
Modern media methods promote Tibetan language
click here
New school term begins in Tibet
2008-09-02 13:12:00
Pupils from Zayul County Central Primary School on the flag-raising ceremony for the new school term, photos from Xinhua, September 1.
Playing basketball, photo from Xinhua, September 1.
September 1 marks the beginning of annual new school term and pupils in Tibet's Zayul County held a flag-raising ceremony to celebrate this event.
Some 1,000 kilometers away from Lhasa, capital of the Tibet Autonomous Region, Zayul County pays much attention to the development of education cause with the school age children enrollment rate of 98.7 per cent.
http://eng.tibet.cn/index/news/200809/t20080902_423839.htm
Tibet starts inspection of school building quality
2008-07-14 08:53:00
Tibet has launched a region-wide inspection of school construction quality, said local authorities.
The inspection, to last until July 30, was organized by the local education and construction departments, the region's development and reform commission and its seismological bureau.
According to construction regulations, school, hospital and government buildings should be able to resist earthquakes of magnitude 7.
It is not immediately known how many schools are in the region.
Tibet is on the western earthquake belt of China. This year, the southwestern region has been hit by several earthquakes with magnitudes above 5.0, including a magnitude 6.9 quake in Gerze County, which was said to be the strongest in nearly a decade.
Tibet is adjacent to Sichuan Province, which was ravaged by a massive earthquake on May 12. The disaster, which claimed about 70,000 lives, raised public awareness of school building quality.
http://eng.tibet.cn/news/today/200807/t20080714_412355.htm
Dalai Lama does not represent all Tibetan or Tibetan Buddhism and he has lots of enemies, even within Tibetan Buddhism. Enclosed photo showing a demonstration against Dalai Lama by Tibetan Buddhism Monks in Germany. In this photo many Germans(like many of us) were very much surprised.
http://news.xinhuanet.com/newscenter/2008-06/23/content_8424644.htm
German scholar refutes Dalai's claim of "cultural genocide" in Tibet
2008-04-25 08:12:00 |
A German sinologist and ethnologist on Wednesday refuted the Dalai Lama's claim that the Chinese government has conducted "cultural genocide" in Tibet and criticized some Western media for not letting the voices of ordinary Tibetans be heard.
CULTURAL GENOCIDE? COMPLETELY WRONG
"The concept of 'cultural genocide' is completely wrong," said Ingo Nentwig, who chairs the research department of the Museum of Ethnology in Leipzig, in a written interview with Xinhua.
"The Tibetan culture flourishes and prospers in China," including "language, literature, study of oral literature, everyday life and traditional architecture," he said.
Nentwig said that China has published a vast collection of books, newspapers and magazines in Tibetan language, and "there are a lot of Tibetan publishing houses, not only in Tibet but also in the neighboring provinces and even in Beijing."
Tibetan authors write in the Tibetan language and Chinese, Tibetan translation of foreign books are also available in China, and "there is an academy for traditional Tibetan medicine in Lhasa," he cited the example to illustrate his point.
The scholar said that unlike "some representatives of the clerical elite demanding independence for Tibet or just wanting to exert political power" who describe the modernization of the Tibetan society as "cultural genocide," "most Tibetans recognize the opportunities in a modern Tibet, which is part of China and open to the modern world."
SYSTEMATIC ASSIMILATION? OUT OF THE QUESTION
Nentwig said a systematic immigration and assimilation of Tibet "through a Han-Chinese (China's majority ethnic group) settlement invasion is just out of the question."
"If you come to Lhasa, you actually have the impression that there are many Han-Chinese who account for more than 50 percent of the population in Lhasa for sure," he said, but noting the bulk of them, however, stay there only temporarily.
Soldiers, for example, are to leave after demobilization, many construction workers are just there for road or railway projects, some officials are assigned to work in Tibet on a rotation basis and then leave. While some business people operate stores or restaurants there, but they seldom intend for a long-term stay, he said.
"But once you leave Lhasa, you hardly meet any Han-Chinese," said Nentwig, who spent a month in Tibet for a field research on yak shepherds in the summer of 2002.
"I did my field research in a county where just 20 or 30 Han-Chinese live among 50,000 to 60,000 Tibetans," he said.
The scholar said the overall proportion of long-term Han residents in Tibet is about just 7 percent, while ethnic Tibetans account for over 90 percent.
Even taking the short-term residents into account, the Han people account for an estimated 20 to 25 percent of entire population in Tibet, while ethnic Tibetans are still the "overwhelming majority of about 75 to 80 percent," he said.
Areas inhabited by ethnic Tibetans in the neighboring provinces of Qinghai, Gansu, Sichuan and Yunnan, however, are ethically and culturally more diversified, where Tibetans have coexisted peacefully with Han and other ethnic groups such as Hui, Mongolian, Qiang, Tu and Salar for many centuries, Nentwig said.
If exiled Tibetans, under the "anti-assimilation" or "anti-sinicization" slogans, want to fight for Tibetans' cultural or political dominance, this would go against the historical truth and would be unfair for all other residents there, he said.
OLD RULING CLASS' ACCUSATION? DIFFERENT STORY TO TELL
The scholar listed some historical and geographical reasons for Tibet's relatively slow development compared with other Chinese regions.
Tibet is "unsuitable for a comprehensive industrialization and its agriculture is also handicapped by natural conditions" as large grazing areas there have "such thin topsoil that virtually nothing can be cultivated," he said.
He also called attention to the fact that before 1950, there were no hospitals and no schools except the monastic education.
While acknowledging such huge gap "can not be narrowed overnight," Nentwig noted with delight that the average life expectancy in Tibet has raised from 35 years in the 1950s to the present 67 years.
He hailed the liberation of the vast majority of the Tibetan people from the bondage of serfdom as a "great progress," adding most Tibetans are in much better conditions now than 50 years ago.
He said the Chinese government's ethnic policy is "enormously generous" and there are many examples to illustrate that China's ethnic minorities are given preferential treatments.
"The Tibetans, for example, may basically have two children ... (and) Tibetans in the countryside may have three or even more children" while the one-child policy is applied to the Han.
"The latest census showed that in the past 20 to 30 years, the population growth rate of Tibetans was much higher than that of the Han," he said.
Nentwig criticized some Western media for only reporting the voices of the former ruling class, namely, representatives of the old theocracy, the clerical and feudal aristocrats, who lost their power and can "no longer exploit the people at will," while ignoring the voices of the ordinary Tibetan people who "have a totally different story to tell."
Admitting that China's approach to ethnic minorities still has much room for improvement, he said if anyone wants to criticize China, such criticism should be concrete, constructive and based on expertise.
"It helps nobody if unqualified nonsense is disseminated as many Western media unfortunately have done and are still doing," he said.
http://eng.tibet.cn/index/news/200804/t20080425_377394.htm
<<The Hindu>> Journalist first-hand Tibet visit experience:
Social well-being a striking aspect of life in modern Tibet
| by: Parvathi Menon | From: The Hindu
2008-08-28 14:16:00
Life has changed beyond recognition since 1959, when the system of monastic feudalism presided over by the Dalai Lama was overthrown and over a million serfs were set free.
In what used to be the dungeons of the Potala Palace, once the winter palace of the Dalai Lamas in Lhasa and now a religious and tourist site, is an unusual museum. The Zhol jail, a place where disobedient or rebellious serfs and labourers were subject to horrific forms of torture, was once located here. Today, photographs, paintings, models, and sound effects are used to recreate the brutality of the ancien regime against those classes whose labour created and sustained the splendid monument that soars above.
The squalor, poverty and social hierarchies of Lhasa, captured vividly in black and white photographs of the 1940s and 1950s, belong to a historical phase now squarely in the past.
Today the Potala Palace overlooks a city of modern infrastructure and conveniences. It has attractive tree-lined avenues, a busy business district, hotels, cultural centres and open spaces like the 12.2 square km Lhalu wetlands, a protected marsh that acts as what our hosts refer to as the kidneys of the Lhasa urban area. The modernity of the capital bears the impress of a strong Tibetan stamp in architecture, dress, and cultural practice.
Apart from warm clothes and altitude sickness pills, a foreign visitor to Tibet usually carries baggage of another kind. This is a belief that the 'real' Tibet lies hidden somewhere beneath what the eye sees and the mind registers; that the well being and modernisation evident in contemporary Tibetan society is a sort of maya. This perspective has been shaped by a vast literature and propaganda offensive that has emanated over the years from within the support base of the 14th Dalai Lama. It comes in large part from people who have not set foot in Tibet, and has, unfortunately, many well-meaning adherents.
A report published this year by the Dalai Lama's Dharamsala-based Government-in-Exile and titled Environment and Development in Tibet: A Crucial Issue has this to say: China claims that Tibet is experiencing growth and prosperity, but the reality is that, under Chinese rule, Tibetans are impoverished, marginalised and excluded; the sensitive and globally important ecology of Tibet is deteriorating; and many plant and animal species face extinction.
In fact, the fatal flaw of the report is that it has been written by people who have not visited their research area, for it is evident to any visitor's eye that the allegations of the impoverishment, marginalisation, and exclusion of Tibetans are unsubstantiated.
I was part of a journalists' delegation invited by the Chinese government to Tibet in July this year. To a visitor, the relatively high levels of living standards of people in the Tibet Autonomous Regions (TAR) are a striking feature of observable social life. In Lhasa, small towns and the villages of Tibet, there are no crowds of people ill, destitute, and unemployed - on the contrary, the overwhelming visual impression is of a population healthy and gainfully employed. Schools and universities hum with activity, and cultural assets like museums and ancient monasteries are treasured - these are but some marks of a society that is on the move.
Older Tibetans emphasise that life has changed beyond recognition since 1959, when the system of monastic feudalism presided over by the Dalai Lama was overthrown and over a million serfs were set free.
I consider myself middling-prosperous, says Zhuoga, the head of an eight-member farming family in Gapa, a village of 60 households, 10 km from Lhasa. She and her family members offer fruit, biscuits and Tibetan tea to her visitors in her warm and colourful sitting room decorated with Tibetan thangkas (religious scroll paintings) and carpets.
The Zhuoga household's annual income of 20,000 yuan (roughly Rs. 140,000) comes from her oilseed and corn harvest, from the rent paid by vegetable farmers for land they lease from her, from a 500 yuan annual subsidy given by the Government, and from collective work she and the family put in on village projects. School education and health care are free. Although a Buddhist, she thinks the Dalai Lama is not a good man as he masterminded the disturbances of March 14th 2008. We could not go to the city for work, she said. I was angry and scared.
Life now is like this, says Pingtso Tashi giving a thumbs-up sign. And before 1959 it was like this. He holds up his little finger. This 58-year old dam inspector and farmer is the son of former serfs. Today, hard work pays, he said. Every village family owns land and the average individual land holding of the village is 3.8 mu (15 mu = 1 hectare)
A range of special preferential policies and measures for social and economic development apply to Tibet. There is a preferential taxation policy by which income tax in Tibet is three percentage points lower than elsewhere, and farmers and herdsmen are completely exempt from taxes and administrative charges. There is a preferential interest rate on bank loans, the rate being two percentage points lower in the TAR than in the rest of China.
Yang Chen and Deji, microbiologists working for a bio-pharmaceutical company in Lhasa, and their office colleagues, are part of a cheerful and spirited group of women dressed in formal western office wear who have come to see a photographic exhibition on Tibetan women at the Tibet museum in Lhasa. Asked about the exhibition and whether it reflects the progress of women in Tibet, Yang Chen says, Yes it does. Today we are equal to men in every way. She and Ms Deji have two daughters each, and hope that the girls will one day become doctors. The one-child norm does not apply to Tibetans and other ethnic minorities as it does to Han Chinese.
http://eng.tibet.cn/index/news/200808/t20080828_422961.htm
Modern media methods promote Tibetan language
click here
Primary School on Roof-of-the-World
http://pic.people.com.cn/GB/31655/6543727.html
This unique Primary School is located on Roof-of-the-World, 5573 meters above sea-level.
The Government of China is committed to provide a free-of-charge and compulsory education for every Tibetan child.
The Central Government of China invested a huge sum of money to re-build this school from ruins in 1986, so that the children of the nomads can receive an education.
This school covers an area of 8400 square meters and the building provides a useful area of 1221 square meters. The children are too far away from their nomadic families and are all staying in this boarding school for the entire school term.
Every morning the whole school will be singing the China national anthem.
The windows of this school are installed with double layers(rarely seen in China) due to winter fourty below temperature.
This school uses the latest technology, i.e. teaching Fine Art with computerized CD equipment.
The six teachers in this school and some of their students.
There are 141 students and all stay in this boarding school. It is too far from their nomadic camps. Students will learn how to take care of their bedding.
The school principal (also a teacher) is teaching his student how to read/write Tibetan.
The school principal's wife decided to move to such high altitude location, just to help out cooking tasks at the school.
Teaching Biology and practice it with a micropscope.
Students using computer aided equipments and internet access receive long distance educational training.
The cracks on a young face of every student review the hardship of the sun at high-altitude and lack of oxygen. It takes a very dedicated teaching staff to remain working long term in this special school.
The students automatically line up for their meals during lunch hours. This is a very well organized school.
Older students are serving rice (the main dish) to the students.
A study of the food being served, it reviews that students receive a very well-balanced diet.
After lunch being served, students are having fun at the school play ground.
During the Dalai Lama era there was no school nor university, a child had to join one of the Monasteries to receive an education and that was the reason why many Tibetan mothers were forced by their own clans to give up their love ones to the Monasteries. Today, no Tibetan mother has to make such a decision.
The truth is that during the Dalai Lama era most Tibetan women were second class citizens and very seldom had any chance of an education. Today, all Tibetan children, both boys and girls, have equal chances of a free-of-charge and compulsory education. Tibetan women today provide a major and essential workforce in the government of Tibet Autonomous Region.
Without Lhamo Toinzhub(14th Dalai Lama), Tibet is better off today!
In 1951 Lhamo Toinzhub signed widely known as 'the 17 Pacts'
to run Tibet for Chairman Mao until he sneaked out in 1959.
For almost 9 years Lhamo Toinzhub had worked for Chairman Mao.
Tibet Today still fighting her Biggest Enemy...
Click below:
Secret CIA Sponsorship of Tibetan Rebels against China Exposed---
How A Ground-breaking Book Unveiled History as It Was
http://www.china-hiking.com/tibet/invasion.htm
In 1959 conned by then Ambassador in India(Henderson) at his own free will,
Lhamo Toinzhub left Tibet and thus had given up his right to run Tibet.
As an early version of Iranian Czar or Filipino Marcos, he was tricked to leave Tibet.
Since 1959 for 49 years Tibet Autonomous Region has been run by capable
native Tibetans, most of whom were a SERF during Dalai Lama era.
These Tibetan leaders should be the only people who can make decisions
for the future of Tibet Autonomous Region, NOT Lhamo Toinzhub.
He has neither Tibetans' Trust nor experience to run Democratic and Modern Tibet.
Tibetans do not want someone both a Political and Religious leader to head Tibet.
Why do nations want to have Tibet returned to a SERF system under Dalai Lama?
It is because they want to control Tibet with a puppet like Dalai Lama.
This will lead Tibet into neither Democratic nor 'Freedom of Choice'.
Our World is enough to have only one Ayatullah Ruhollah Khomeini !
USA Professor asked: Want Another Taliban?
Lhamo Toinzhub has to realize Tibet today is a well established society,
and stop allow himself being used as a puppy by nations against China.
It is sincerely hope before his approaching death Lhamo Toinzhub
(14th Dalai Lama) will give up his so called 'Tibet Independence'
and for once in entire life doing something good for people of Tibet.
The only way to avoid ending up in history like Iranian Czar or Filipino Marcos!
http://pic.people.com.cn/GB/31655/6543727.html
Freedon of Religion in Tibet
From Words of Past Tibet-Tour Hikers
click here
What to negotiate with Dalai Lama?
2008-07-01 16:41:00
To most people, no matter in the old Tibet or in Dharmsala today, where Tibetan government-in-exile locates, Dalai Lama is both a political and a religious figure. Although Dalai himself frequently refers to the "government-in-exile" as a "democratic government", he has never denied he is the political leader. But it does not make any sense at all to compare theocracy to a democratic system. If it did, people would assume he either lacks or ignore common sense.
Theocracy was abolished in Tibet. This is the reason why Dalai left Lhasa in 1959, and it is also the result of his absence.
Tibet is an autonomous region, so the Tibetan autonomous government is the only legal government to represent Tibet, not that government-in-exile.
Therefore, to negotiate with China is actually to negotiate Dalai's future. Because he is not able to represent neither Tibet nor Tibetan on any legal grounds, and China will never consent to negotiate with him when he claims himself as the political figure of the "government-in-exile". I am not sure whether Dalai is clear about this or not.
http://eng.tibet.cn/news/today/200807/t20080701_410293.htm
What to talk with Dalai Lama?
2008-07-01 16:39:00
Seems a new round of talks between the Beijing central government and the Dalai Lama will start soon. Then, what are the topics on the table? Is it the current situation of Tibet, position of Tibet, future of Tibet, or the destiny of the Tibetan people, of course NOT.
The reason is simple. Dalai is a Buddhist lama, his past political status was based on the system of theocracy. The system, in which a society is ruled by a priest or monk who represent a god, has been abolished in Tibet long before. So if one is going to discuss with a monk the position and future of Tibet, and destiny of Tibetan people, doesn't that give an impression that China will allow theocracy to resume in Tibet?
Tibet is an autonomous region of China, and representing it is the government of the Tibetan Autonomous Region. The 14th Dalai Lama has set up an "exile regime" in Dharmsala, India, and he claims to be the leader of the exile regime. The fact is that not a single state in the world today admits the legitimacy of Dalai Lama's exile government in Dharmsala. If the central government is going to discuss the position, future of Tibet, and destiny of Tibetan people, doesn't that give an impression that Dharmasala exile regime is legitimate?
Tibet has achieved a lot in the past 50-odd years, but Tibet's success and progress has nothing to do with the Dalai Lama. He by no means can represent Tibet or the Tibetan people now. So, China's central government is not going to discuss with Dalai Lama the current situation of Tibet, position of Tibet, future of Tibet, or the destiny of the Tibetan people, but only the future and destiny of Dalai Lama himself.
http://eng.tibet.cn/news/today/200807/t20080701_410290.htm
Last opportunity for Dalai Lama
2008-07-01 16:41:00
The 14th Dalai Lama is running out of opportunities. And that's why he is using the Beijing Olympics as his last straw. But could he really make the best use of this opportunity? Some Westerners are providing Dalai Lama with badly-needed guidance and support, which shed light on why he frequented Western countries in a rush. However, there are vast differences in the interest of those Westerners' and Dalai's, which can be seen through the fact that Dalai has been given a cold shoulder by the West from time to time in the past decades.
Therefore Dalai should tell the difference in interests and stop binding himself to certain political forces, which will lead to his loss of opportunities. Judging from the current situation, Dalai Lama is losing his most important opportunities on mending ties with the Chinese central government.
Of course, it remained to be seen whether Dalai Lama still has any power and influence to muster, without the support of some political forces in the West.
http://eng.tibet.cn/news/today/200807/t20080701_410291.htm
Chinese central government officials meet with Dalai Lama's private representatives
www.chinaview.cn 2008-07-03 15:37:37
BEIJING, July 3 (Xinhua) -- Du Qinglin, head of the United Front Work Department of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, met with private representatives of the 14th Dalai Lama in Beijing recently, the department said on Thursday.
Du, also the vice chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), told the two representatives, Lodi Gyari and Kelsang Gyaltsen, the central government's policy towards the Dalai Lama is consistent and explicit. The door for dialogue is always open.
The Dalai Lama should openly and explicitly promise and prove it in his actions not to support activities to disturb the upcoming Beijing Olympic Games, not to support plots to fan violent criminal activities, not to support and concretely curb the violent terrorist activities of the "Tibetan Youth Congress" and not to support any argument and activity to seek "Tibet independence" and split the region from the country, he said.
While the country is welcoming the 30th anniversary of its reform and opening up, Tibet, together with the rest of the country, has progressed to realize economic development and improve people's living standards while protecting the environment and effectively using resources, he said.
In Tibet, the adherence to the CPC leadership, the socialist system and the regional autonomy of ethnic minorities will not be altered, he said.
The central government will apply its policies in Tibet, support the region's economic and social development and work to improve living standards of people in Tibet as it did before.
Du also briefed them about the Wenchuan earthquake on May 12 and the relief work.
He said at time of difficulty, the Chinese nation has shown strong cohesiveness and profound love among its people. The relief work serves as vivid illustrations of China's protection of human rights.
The CPC implemented its principle of putting people first and ruling the country for the people, while the advantages of socialist system are also manifested in the quake relief, as indicated in the policy of saving lives first, nationwide mobilization for quake relief and timely and smooth flow of information, he said.
Zhu Weiqun and Sitar, two deputy heads of the department, also met with the Dalai Lama's representatives and exchanged ideas on detailed issues.
If the Dalai Lama makes positive moves, the next round of contact may be held before the end of this year, according to the officials of the department.
The Dalai Lama's representatives also expressed their ideas on several relevant issues and said they would report the results to the Dalai Lama.
During their stay in Beijing, the two toured the Olympic stadiums and talked with some Tibetologists.
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2008-07/03/content_8483444.htm
What kind of olive branch from the Dalai Lama?
2008-08-21 11:23:00
Just on the former day of the opening ceremony of the Beijing Olympic Games, "New York Times", an American newspaper, published an article titled "An Olive Branch from the Dalai Lama" by Nicholas D. Kristof, a journalist who once worked in China. The article introduces the Dalai Lama's new opinions about Tibet.
Before analyzing the Dalai Lama's new ideas, I would like to share two points which puzzle me most.
Firstly, the Chinese government always opens doors to the Dalai Lama for talks. As a matter of fact, from 2002 to the beginning of this year, the departments concerned have conducted six rounds of talk with the Dalai Lama. In addition, after the March 14 Riots the United Front Work Department (UFWD) of the Communist Party of China (CPC) had dialogues with the Dalai Lama twice although local people in Tibet Autonomous Region (TAR) were very angry with separatists due to great damages caused by riots. If the Dalai Lama has any new ideas indeed, he should communicate with the central government directly instead of conveying his comments by western media. The proposition from a western journalist not only makes people disbelieve its authenticity but also doubts the Dalai Lama's sincerity. Does he wish to solve the issue or just to strengthen public relations among the western world for another time?
Secondly, one point of the Dalai Lama's new allegation is that the object of the dialogue should be changed to the supreme leader from the United Front Work Department of CPC, which is out of all reason. That would do no good to the following dialogue. On the contrary, it will set new blocks to the progress. So I have to suspect the Dalai Lama's sincerity of resolving issues.
The first point of the Dalai Lama's new ideas is that "the Dalai Lama is willing to state that he can accept the socialist system in Tibet under Communist Party rule", which he regards as an important compromise. Actually, this is what the Dalai Lama should do according to the dialogue. It is really wise enough to interpret an inevitable thing as a big compromise, in terms of negotiation skills. It is a popular tactic in western public relations to put forward a fake topic and then gain virtual profit by making compromises. With the establishment of the Tibet Autonomous Region in 1965 after the democratic reform in 1959, the socialist system has become the foundation of Tibet's society today. The result of changing the reality is unimaginable. On the foundation of current social system, TAR has made great progress on the way to modernization. Further promoting the autonomous region is millions of Tibetan people's requirement and rights. It is selfish that some few people hope to change the progress of the history, which is impossible as well.
The second point of view is about the Dalai Lama's so-called "greater Tibet". He can accept the current boundary between TAR and other provinces but calls for "greater Tibet" "to be placed under one administration" and demanded "to create a Regional Authority for Tibetan Affairs that would administer key aspects of life" in greater Tibet. That is to say, he would like to gain the practical domination over greater Tibet by superficially giving up greater Tibet. Here we can learn the negotiation tactics of "moving forward two steps by moving back one step". In history, there has never been "all Tibetan areas" with an effective and consolidate administration. In the rule of law, his claiming greater Tibet disregards other nationalities' rights completely. As for politics and real life, if the plan of greater Tibet takes effect, a race launder with unprecedented scale will happen. Thus the plan of greater Tibet itself is ridiculous and persisting this plan is one of the greatest barriers for the dialogue between the central government and the Tibet separatist group. The Dalai Lama changed the expression way of the issue of greater Tibet without giving up the preposition actually, which is the essence of the problem of the so-called new ideas.
After recommending the new policy of his highly-praised Dalai Lama, Kristof raised a series of detailed requests on behalf of the Dalai Lama, such as allowing the Dalai Lama to arrive in or depart from China according to his will; restricting other ethnic people's migration; stopping the patriotism education in monasteries; permitting pre-school age children to go to school; promoting the status of Tibetan language and boosting the occupancy of Tibetan cadres. In my opinion, it is the Dalai Lama's rights to raise requests, but all those requests should be based upon rationality and reality.
Let's have a simple discussion at some topics. Firstly, the so-called migration problem. In terms of the modern nomology, except the well-organized and large scale migration to some areas based upon governmental public power and resources, it is the basic rights under the guarantee of constitution for citizens to migrate according to one's own interest demand within the frontier. It is wrong to restrict individual free migration according to the nomology and according to the modern human rights view, it is also improper. Now the fact is that there is no issue for government to organize migration to Tibet or some other Tibetan-inhabited areas while the government should respect and protect the behavior of individual migration according to market economy demand.
Secondly, permitting pre-school age children to go to school. The key problem is the balance of rights claim. China respects citizens' religion freedom according to the law and in opposite, the citizen must respect the law to fulfill the legal obligation and this is a kind of balanced contract relationship. It is the rights for children to enjoy education and the duty of parents and the government to help children to finish compulsory education. The reasonable claim is to help those children finish education and allow them to choose their religion belief after they have ability to fulfill their rights to perform their rights according to the constitution.
Thirdly, about the Tibetan language. With the development of modernization, any nationality will meet the challenge of adjusting to the modernization and protecting the traditional culture. A clear fact is that since the Reform and Opening-up, the Chinese Government has done a lot to popularize Tibetan language, protect and develop the Tibetan culture and has also made a lot of progress. In stead of criticism without any fact basis, the Chinese Government deserves affirmation and encouragement for its efforts on Tibetan language and Tibetan culture.
In Kristof's quotation cited from the Dalai Lama, a marked paragraph shows that he pays much attention to those words: "The main thing is to preserve our culture, to preserve the character of Tibet, That is what is most important, not politics." It sounds really good, but if you read carefully, you will still feel that culture is just used as an excuse as what the Dalai Lama cares most is the politics.
http://eng.tibet.cn/news/today/200808/t20080821_421558.htm
Friendly Feudalism: The Tibet Myth
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China urges U.S. to stop supporting Dalai Lama in any form
www.chinaview.cn 2008-07-28 11:18:54
BEIJING, July 28 (Xinhua) -- Relevant people in the United States should stop supporting and conniving with the Dalai Lama and separatist forces for "Tibet independence," the Foreign Ministry said here on Monday.
Ministry spokesman Liu Jianchao made the remarks when commenting on a report that Republican presidential candidate John McCain had met last Friday with the Dalai Lama, who was visiting the United States.
"China is seriously concerned about the report," Liu said, noting the Tibet issue is China's domestic affair.
China opposed the Dalai Lama conducting separatist activities in any country with any individual and opposed anyone making use of the Dalai Lama issue to interfere in China's domestic affairs. The stance is persistent and clear, Liu said.
He urged relevant people in the United States to abide by the basic principles of international relations, see clearly the true face of the Dalai Lama as separating China and destroying social stability and national unity in Tibet under the cloak of religion and stop supporting and conniving with the Dalai Lama and the separatist forces for "Tibet independence," as well as anything interfering in China's domestic affairs and damaging Sino-U.S. relations.
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2008-07/28/content_8786288.htm
To learn about Dalai Lama's experience of Democratic System
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Click the following to view the White Papers on Tibet issues:
Tibet -- Its Ownership And Human Rights Situation
New Progress in Human Rights in the Tibet Autonomous Region
Tibet's March Toward Modernization
White Paper on Tibetan Culture
White Paper on Ecological Improvement and Environmental Protection in Tibet
Tibet's Compulsory and Free-of-Charge Education
White Paper: Regional Ethnic Autonomy in Tibet
Click the above for full text of White Papers on various Tibet Issues
China issued Sunday a white paper to acquaint the world with its ethnic policy and the truth about Tibet, and urged the Dalai Lama to "truly relinquish" his stand for "Tibet independence."
"The Central Government's policy as regards the Dalai Lama is consistent and clear. It is hoped that the Dalai Lama will look reality in the face, make a correct judgment of the situation, truly relinquish his stand for 'Tibet independence,' and do something beneficial to the progress of China and the region of Tibet in his remaining years," says the white paper, titled Regional Ethnic Autonomy in Tibet.
The 30-page white paper, released by the Information Office of the State Council, or the cabinet, is the first of its kind to focus on the "regional ethnic autonomy" policy long practiced in China's ethnic minority regions, as well as the substantial benefits this policy has brought to Tibet, which formally became one of China's five province-level autonomous regions in 1965.
"Regional ethnic autonomy means, under the unified leadership of the state, regional autonomy is exercised and organs of self-government are established in areas where various ethnic minorities live in compact communities, so that the people of ethnic minorities are their own masters exercising the right of self-government to administer local affairs and the internal affairs of their own ethnic groups," explains the paper.
With the implementation of the policy of regional ethnic autonomy, the Tibetan people enjoy full political right of autonomy, have full decision-making power in economic and social development, and have the freedom to inherit and develop their traditional culture and to practice their religious belief, says the paper, citing a series of facts and figures.
"Regional ethnic autonomy is the fundamental guarantee for the Tibetan people as masters of their own affairs," the paper concludes.
The issuance of the white paper appears to be a counteroffensive against the international propaganda and lobbying by the Dalai Lama, who alleged that the regional ethnic autonomy in Tibet was "devoid of essential contents" and proposed the exercise of "one country, two systems" and "a high degree of autonomy" in Tibet after the model of Hong Kong and Macao.
The white paper refuted the "attack" and "argument" of the "Dalai clique" as "totally untenable."
"The regional ethnic autonomy in Tibet the Dalai clique attacks is the very regional ethnic autonomy for Tibet which the 14th Dalai supported and whose preparation he was involved in," says the paper, citing the fact that the Dalai Lama was the chairman of the Preparatory Committee for the Tibet Autonomous Region when the committee was established in 1956.
"The Dalai's attack against the regional ethnic autonomy in Tibet runs counter not only to the reality of present-day Tibet but also to the words he once uttered in all seriousness," it adds.
The white paper says that the situation in Tibet is "entirely different from that in Hong Kong and Macao". "...the Central Government has always exercised effective sovereign jurisdiction over the region (of Tibet). So the issue of resuming exercise of sovereignty does not exist (as it had existed in Hong Kong and Macao)," it says. "...the possibility of implementing another social system (in Tibet) does not exist either."
The paper also states that regional ethnic autonomy is a basic political system of China and the establishment of the Tibet Autonomous Region and the scope of its area are based on the provisions of the Chinese Constitution, the laws on regional ethnic autonomy and decided by the conditions past and present.
"Any act aimed at undermining and changing the regional ethnic autonomy in Tibet is in violation of the Constitution and law, and it is unacceptable to the entire Chinese people, including the broad masses of the Tibetan people," the paper stresses.
It goes on to point out that the local government of Tibet headed by the Dalai Lama representing feudal serfdom under theocracy has long since been replaced by the democratic administration established by the Tibetan people themselves.
"The destiny and future of Tibet can no longer be decided by the Dalai Lama and his clique. Rather, it can only be decided by the whole Chinese nation, including the Tibetan people," says the paper. "This is an objective political fact in Tibet that cannot be denied or shaken."
The Dalai Lama fled China in 1959 after a failed armed rebellion aimed at separating Tibet from China. The rebellion was staged by "some people in the upper ruling strata of Tibet" "in order to preserve feudal serfdom," with the support of "imperialist forces," says the white paper.
After leading the Tibetan people to "quickly quell the rebellion," the central government implemented the Democratic Reform which overthrew the feudal serfdom under theocracy, abolished the feudal hierarchic system and emancipated a million serfs and slaves. "The Democratic Reform cleared the way for regional ethnic autonomy in Tibet," says the paper.
The paper notes that under the reign of the Dalai Lama, "even in the first half of the 20th century, Tibet remained a society ...even darker and more backward than medieval Europe." But after nearly 40 years of practice of regional ethnic autonomy, Tibet has "recorded rapid economic growth and all-round social progress," and the Tibetans have "become the creators and beneficiaries of the material and cultural wealth of Tibetan society."
"Historical facts indicate that the institution of regional ethnic autonomy in Tibet was the natural result of social progress in Tibet, and that it accords with the fundamental interests of the Tibetan people and the inexorable law of development of human society," the paper says.
http://www.tibetinfor.com.cn/english/news/2004-5-24/News0200452491638.htm
Olympic torch relay COMPLETED in Lhasa, Tibet
Gonpo (L), 75-year-old Tibetan mountaineering hero and the first torchbearer, receives the torch from Qin Yizhi, secretary of the Lhasa city committee of the Communist Party of China, during the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games torch relay in Lhasa, capital of southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region, on June 21, 2008.
Gonpo (front), 75-year-old Tibetan mountaineering hero and the first torchbearer, runs with the torch during the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games torch relay in Lhasa, capital of southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region, on June 21, 2008.
Torchbearer Li Suzhi runs with the torch during the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games torch relay in Lhasa, capital of southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region, on June 21, 2008.
Tibetan people welcome the Olympic flame during the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games torch relay in Lhasa, capital of southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region, on June 21, 2008.
Tibetan people welcome the Olympic flame during the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games torch relay in Lhasa, capital of southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region, on June 21, 2008.
Dancers perform Tibetan ethnic dance to welcome the Olympic flame in front of the Potala Palace during the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games torch relay in Lhasa, capital of southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region, on June 21, 2008.
A torchbearer passing through a historical site, during the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games torch relay in Lhasa, capital of southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region, on June 21, 2008.
Merging flame from torchbearers with the Olympic flame passed atop the earth's summit(in Tibet) on May 8, 2008, during the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games torch relay in Lhasa, capital of southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region, on June 21, 2008.
The last torchbearer(a famous Tibetan artist) arrived Potala Palace, during the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games torch relay in Lhasa, capital of southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region, on June 21, 2008.
http://english.people.com.cn/90001/90783/91323/6434427.html
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