A high-level forum on the preservation and development of
Tibetan culture opened in Beijing on Tuesday.
Addressing the forum, Liu Yandong, head of the CPC Central
Committee's United Front Work Department, referred to Tibetan
culture as "a bright pearl in the treasure house of Chinese culture
and a rare blossom in the history of human civilization," adding
that Tibetan culture reflected the unique scenery and social
history of Tibet and demonstrated how Tibet had been
influenced by other ethnic groups in China.
"It shows that since ancient times, Tibet has been an
inalienable part of Chinese territory," she stated.
Liu said the government has done a lot to protect and develop
Tibetan culture, which conforms with the fundamental interests of
all the ethnic groups in Tibet and the Chinese nation as a
whole.
"We should respect history while researching Tibetan culture and
we need to explore further the different ethnic groups in Tibet,"
Liu said.
China has placed about 700 million yuan (US$87.5 million) since
the 1980s towards renovating Tibetan temples including the Potala
Palace, Norbulingka, the Sakya Temple and the Jokhang Temple. More
than 1,700 temples and monasteries have been restored and reopened
since 1949. Among these, six religious sites including the Potala
Palace have been listed as key national or regional cultural
protection relics which enjoy special government support.
Currently, Tibet has 1,787 religious sites, 46,000 monks and nuns
and 358 living Buddhas.
China has greatly enhanced the protection of Tibetan traditional
arts and religious cultural entities, said Lai Shianglung, a former
senior UN official for social and economic affairs.
The forum, running until October 19, has drawn about 120
scholars, experts and religious celebrities like Lama Gangchen from
around the world. It will be held in Beijing on Tuesday and
Wednesday before moving to Tibet. Meanwhile, a Tibetan culture
exhibition opened yesterday at the Capital Museum in central
Beijing, containing over 200 exhibits and 100 pictures. It will
close on October 22.
(Xinhua News Agency October 11, 2006)
