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Along with the deepening of Tibet's reform and opening up and the vigorous development of various undertakings, the snow-clad plateau has begun to open its arms to embrace the world people who, in return, have also held a fresh understanding and knowledge of Tibet.
In recent years, many people of different social strata from around the world have seen with their own eyes, during their visits, investigation tours and sightseeing, the tremendous changes that have taken place on this vast mysterious land.
Not long ago, a news-covering delegation composed of 26 reporters from the United States, Britain, Germany, Canada, Denmark and other countries came to Tibet on visit. In their week-long hectic activities, they were gasped with admiration at the urban construction, economic development as well as school facilities and teaching conditions, family lives of urbanites, farmers and herdsmen in Lhasa and Xigaze.
They hadn't expected that Tibet had witnessed not only beautifully constructed cities, which have both ethnic characteristics and a strong favor of modernity; but also a fast economic development which has maintained a two-digit growth rate for eight straight years, the growth rate of its national economy reached 12.8 percent last year, its regional economic strength has been on the increase; schools are neat and beautiful, with fairly perfect facilities, enormous successes have been gained in education, culture, health and other fields; the masses are enjoying a happy life, live and work with contentment, everybody is wearing a smiling face.
In June this year, Mexican Secretary of Foreign Relations Jorge G. Castaneda, after paying a 3-day visit to Tibet, expressed his deep admiration for and congratulations on the tremendous achievements gained by Tibet in various aspects, he exclaimed over and again that he had seen the vigorous, thriving development scene of Tibet, which has left a profound impression on him. He pledged he would conduct development and cooperation with Tibet in tourism, culture and other fields.
In May and October, Jack Austin, chairman of the Canada-China Parliament Association, and Argentine Consul to Hong Kong, after visiting Tibet, praised in one voice: Not only Lhasa City was built with unique characteristics and with extreme beauty, but also Shannan, Nyingchi and other prefectures had become very modernized cities. Foreign tourists can enjoy modernized lodging and food of Western standard and can feast their eyes on the unique magnificent scenery of the snow-covered plateau. Local people, Chinese and foreign tourists can be seen leisurely strolling, sightseeing and shopping in the streets and scenic areas, presenting a propitious and happy sight. Moreover, they highly praised Tibet's ecological construction. They could see the vigorously growing artificial forested land everywhere they went.
A European Parliament Relationship-with-China Delegation led by Elly Plooij-Van Gorsel visited Tibet in mid-July this year. During their visit, members of the delegation learned the fact that Tibet's traditional culture had been properly protected, the central government had allocated funds in succession for the overhaul of Potala Palace, Jokhang Monastery and other cultural sites, and adopted very effective measures to protect buildings of important cultural value in Lhasa, with great success. Furthermore, local people enjoy full religious freedom; concern and attention are given by society to women, equality is practiced between men and women, service related to children and the disabled is undergoing sound development.
At the 4th Tibetan work forum held last year, in particular, the central authorities decided to further intensify support to Tibet during the "10th Five-year Plan" (2001-05) period, investment in capital construction and transfer of payment will total more than 70 billion yuan(US$8.43 billion) to be used to speed up Tibet's transportation, energy, telecommunication, agriculture, animal husbandry, education and other undertakings. Delegation members all felt that what they saw and heard during their visit and sightseeing in Tibet was "out of their expectations" and they showed great admiration for all this. A madame said with feeling, "Tibet's political stability, prosperous economy, cultural and education progress and people's happiness and freedom, all left a beautiful impression on her. Deeply touched, the delegation members expressed the hope that they would have opportunity to come for visit again in the future.
Foreigners who have visited China's Tibet cannot but have a fresh understanding of new Tibet, a piece of mysterious, propitious, beautiful and thriving land and look upon it with new eyes, a land which has undergone the process from darkness to brightness, from backwardness to progress, from poverty to prosperity, from autocracy to democracy and from closure to openness over the past 50 years since its peaceful liberation in 1951.
( People's Daily October 31, 2002)
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