A group of noted Chinese Tibetologists continued a tour of the United States on Monday, visiting with media companies and US scholars.

The delegation, which is trying to seek more common ground with as many Americans as possible on the Tibet issue in particular, found that misunderstandings between the East and West could be removed by candid exchanges of thoughts and ideas.

Headed by Hao Shiyuan, director of the Institute of Ethnology and Anthropology Study and the Tibetan Historical and Cultural Research Center of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, the delegation toured the CBS Broadcasting System facilities and were welcomed with open arms.

"I was surprised that CBS people showed us around almost all important departments and editing processes," said Hao, who has authored many works on Tibet study.

"We were interested in finding out what topics on China attract the attention of CBS, which showed its strong desire to cover Tibet," he said.

Hao said China's reform and opening up, as well as the Tibet region's remarkable economic and social development, need attention and objective reporting by internationally renowned media institutions such as the CBS.

Scott Pelly, host of the CBS program 60 Minutes, spoke highly of the Beijing Olympics and China's positive influence on some major international affairs.

The Chinese delegation gave active responses to the CBS' desire to visit and report on Tibet.

The Chinese scholars later visited the East-West Institute, known for its studies in international strategies, for discussions with their American counterparts on relevant academic issues.

On behalf of the delegation, Hao expressed his views on Tibet's cultural diversity, ecology and environment.

"China is a country with rich cultural diversities and to protect the cultural diversity is within our ethical policies," Hao said.

He pointed out that the Chinese government has proposed the concept of "respecting differences and tolerating diversities" as a part of the efforts to build a harmonious society with the coexistence of different cultures.

"Biological diversity serves as the foundation for biological balance, and cultural diversity ought to be the social basis for human peace," Hao said.

Hao criticized some Western research bodies for biased views on Tibet-related studies, asking that "why do they always cast doubts on news and reports publicized by the Chinese government but trust and have interest in the Dalai Lama's babbling remarks?"

The US scholars expressed their understanding of such a question.

The two sides agreed that dialogues help remove misunderstanding and expressed willingness to have further exchanges in the future.

(Xinhua News Agency March 25, 2009)