The Qinghai-Tibet Railway is playing a "positive role" in
helping preserve and develop Tibetan culture, a noted Tibetologist
said yesterday in Beijing.
The rail line, which opened on July 1 and links Lhasa with the
rest of China, has prompted the Tibet Autonomous Region to better
protect traditional culture so as to further attract tourists,
Secretary-General of the China Tibetology Research Center Lhaba
Puncog said.
Speaking at a press conference held by the State Council
Information Office yesterday, Puncog said a two-day China Tibetan
Culture Forum, due to open in Beijing today, will arrange for
participants to take a Lhasa-bound train to experience Tibetan
culture at first hand.
Thanks partly to the railway, at least 913,000 travelers visited
Tibet in July and August, a jump of 54 per cent year-on-year,
generating tourism revenue of 940 million yuan (US$119 million), an
increase of 48.6 per cent, according to Puncog.
"What the tourists come to Tibet for is the natural scenery and
unique ethnic cultural traditions," Puncog said. "This has given an
incentive to local people and government to attach more importance
to protecting the plateau environment and culture."
Puncog said the surge in the number of domestic and foreign
travelers offered more chances for Tibetans to get to know the
outside world, which leads to an interaction between local people
and those from elsewhere.
By absorbing information and culture from various sources,
Tibetan people will develop their own culture on the basis of
maintaining and maximizing their traditions, he said.
The thriving tourism, catering and telecommunications sectors
following the operation of the railway has meant more work
opportunities and income growth for Tibetans, he added.
Puncog also said the Potala Palace, the Jokhang Temple and the
Sagya Monastery are undergoing a new round of maintenance thanks to
at least 300 million yuan (US$38 million) of aid from the central
government.
Sita, vice-president of the China Association for Preservation
and Development of Tibetan Culture, yesterday said more than 70 per
cent of books in Tibet were published in Tibetan language.
At least 120 representatives from Australia, Canada, Germany,
India and the United States are expected to participate in the
China Tibetan Culture Forum, which is sponsored by Sita's
association.
A Tibetan culture exhibition will also open today at the Capital
Museum, running through October 22.
(China Daily October 10, 2006)