Tibet is an inalienable part of the Chinese territory since ancient times, said Qiangba Puncog, chairman of Tibet Autonomous Region, on Thursday.

"The overseas sayings of 'Tibet indepence' are groundless nonsense and secessionist activities are doomed to fail," said Qiangba Puncog, a deputy to the 11th National People's Congress, the top legislature.

In regard to western criticism on human rights in Tibet, he expressed his invitation to the critics. "Seeing is believing. They should go to Tibet themselves to feel the improvements."

"They will reach a right conclusion then if they respect facts, " said the chairman.

Accounting for one eighth of China's territory, the southwestern autonomous region saw its gross domestic product (GDP) topping 34 billion yuan (about 4.8 billion U.S. dollars) in 2007.

The per capita GDP, more than 12,000 yuan (1,690 U.S. dollars), almost doubled the figure in 2002.

(Xinhua News Agency March 7, 2008)