In spite of bedeviling financial woes and the autumn cool air, the Third Forum on the Development of Tibet opened in an atmosphere of warmth in the Greek capital on Thursday morning.

Wang Chen, minister of the State Council Information Office of China, speaks during the third Tibet Development Forum in Athens, capital of Greece, on Nov 10, 2011.

A dozen high-level Greek officials from different government departments and business sectors showed up, joining more than 160 others to exchange ideas on the development of Tibet, and explore opportunities for cooperation.

"The forum will surely promote mutual understanding between the Chinese and Greek peoples, deepen their friendship and broaden and deepen economic, social and cultural exchanges and cooperation between the two countries," said Wang Chen, minister of the State Council Information Office. "The Land of Snow on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau is enjoying the best period of time in history."

In two days, more than a dozen Tibetan participants, including scholars, business executives and village leaders, will share their personal stories with participants of the forum, and address questions about their homeland, which has been shrouded by mysteries and rumors in the West.

"There are quite a few Tibetan participants from different walks of life. They are the decision-makers, participants and eyewitnesses in Tibet's progress. They know Tibet best," Wang assures, expressing the belief that face-to-face exchange will be conducive to outside understanding of Tibet.

"Understanding Tibet is conducive to knowing China, and the history of development in Tibet is the epitome of the modernization of China," said Du Qiwen, Chinese ambassador to Greece.

Foreign participants speaking at the forum expressed a general consensus that objectivity is needed when viewing development in Tibet.

While the rest of the world pursues and enjoys modernity, Tibet should not be left aside, according to Sotirios Hatzigakis, a former vice-chairman of the Greek parliament.