¡¡¡¡LHASA, Oct. 21 (Xinhuanet) -- "As a Buddhist, I appreciate China's efforts in the restoration and protection of religious sites," Lyonpo Jigme Yoeser Thinley, the visiting Foreign Minister of the Kingdom of Bhutan, said in Tibet on Monday.

¡¡¡¡Doje, vice-chairman of the People's Government of Tibet Autonomous Region, met with Lyonpo Jigme Yoeser Thinley and his delegation here on Monday.

¡¡¡¡Doje briefed the delegation on the economic and social development of Tibet over the past 50 years, noting that the GrossDomestic Production (GDP) of Tibet reached 13.8 billion yuan (about 1.67 billion US dollars) in 2001, over 50 times of the 1959 figure.

¡¡¡¡He said that more than forty years ago, there were no modern schools in Tibet, while there are now more than 1,100, with an enrollment of more than 400,000. He noted that at present, more than 87 percent of Tibetan children are able to attend schools.

¡¡¡¡Lyonpo Jigme Yoeser Thinley, for his part, said that Bhutan andChina have enjoyed a long-term friendship, adding that he was deeply impressed by the great changes taking place in Tibet.

¡¡¡¡The Bhutanese guests arrived in Lhasa on Oct. 19 and will depart for Kathmandu, the capital of Nepal, on Oct. 22. Enditem