Some observers believe that the violent protests in Tibet was apparently provoked by someone in order to create animosity between different ethnic groups in China and to bring worldwide attention to these issues as the Beijing Olympic Games approaches.

But experts believe that the situation in Tibet is unlikely to run out of control and the Chinese central government will be able to find a way to address the issue in the light of the approaching Olympics.

As for outside observers, they should guard against drawing hasty conclusions and reactions to what is happening in Tibet, so as not to complicate the situation and cause interethnic confrontation in China.

No democratic credentials

The Dalai Lama has neither the democratic credentials nor efforts to improve the lives of the Tibetan people, according to a letter to the editor published in the South African newspaper Business Day.

It is strange how support for the Dalai Lama is part of the package of beliefs that is regarded as "correct".

Befor liberation, Tibet was a backward feudal region with its people enslaved. The Chinese government has been responsible for bringing more people out of poverty in the shortest period of time that has ever been achieved, and has continued the development of Tibet.

Those who use the unworldly Tibetan people to further their own agenda have orchestrated the current unrest to coincide with the Olympic Games, knowing they can rely on Hollywood personalities and Western institutions to make Tibet this year's fashionable cause, the letter said.

(China Daily March 28, 2008)