On Sunday in Portugal, the Dalai Lama once again accused the Chinese Government. This time the central government is being accused of implementing a "culture genocide" policy in its Tibet Autonomous Region.
"The situation in Tibet is getting worse and worse concerning the violation of human rights, religious freedom and culture," the Dalai Lama said.
This is just stereotypical nonsense.
Seeing is believing. Anyone who has visited Tibet recently will see that this is definitely not the case.
Since Tibet's peaceful liberation 50 years ago, tremendous progress has been made in all social undertakings in Tibet through the hard work of all ethnic groups and with the support of the central government and the whole nation.
Now people in Tibet are enjoying unprecedented economic prosperity, cultural protection and religious freedom.
However, because of its remote location, inconvenient transportation and especially because of some separatists' denigrations and biased media reports, most people know little about the real Tibet. That's why there have been various misunderstandings on the "Tibet issue" in the international community.
"Now there are two versions of Tibet in people's minds," explained Li Gang, head of the China Tibet Cultural Week Exhibition delegation in Sydney, "One is the objective, true Tibet on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, and the other is the one concocted by the Dalai Lama."
"Which one is true? You will find the answer easily once you've been there," Li said.
The China Tibet Cultural Week Exhibition in Sydney opened on Tuesday, attracting scads of visitors. Many people were enraptured by Tibet's picturesque scenery, rich culture, colourful life and the achievements it has made in various fields in the past decades.
Some were surprised to find, after seeing the pictures, movies and art performances, that the true Tibet is so different from some Western media's distorted reports and the Dalai Lama's description.
In fact, most people who have visited Tibet have the same feeling. Facts speak louder than words.
As it is obviously not possible for everybody to take time out to visit Tibet, it is the duty of the Chinese Government to clear up the confusion and promote people's overall understanding of the past and present situations in Tibet.
The Dalai Lama's trick of spreading lies to tarnish the image of the Chinese Government is doomed to failure.
(China Daily November 30, 2001)
