VIENNA, Oct. 22 (Xinhua) -- Tibet's traditional culture sees its unprecedented period of development, a leading Chinese Tibetologist said here on Sunday.

    Pasang Norbu, who was attending the "China Tibet Culture Festival" held in Austria from Oct. 18 to 29, made the remarks to journalists from the local mainstream media.

    He told them that he believed "people can have the right judgment on Tibet after they take a real look at it."

    He refuted the comment by Dalai Lama that China destroyed the Tibetan culture.

    "I myself have undergone the social changes of Tibet, and witnessed the Chinese government's efforts in protecting the Tibetan culture," he said, noting that positive elements of the Tibetan traditional culture are well preserved and widely spread.

    "The Tibetan culture is now developing in a sound way while having wide-ranging exchanges with other cultures," he said, adding the situation "is totally different from the past when Tibet was under the ruling of Dalai Lama."

    China is a country of law. Tibet has established its legal system to protect culture, eco-system and religion, Pasang stressed.

    The view was shared by Wang Pijun, a senior official with the China Association for International Culture Exchange.

    Many leaders of foreign countries and journalists have witnessed the fact that Buddhism in Tibet enjoys full freedom and that the Tibetan culture and religion enjoy full protection.

    The centerpiece of the Tibet festival in Austria includes a photo and Tangkar exhibition, a Tibetan song and dance performance and exchanges on Buddhism and Tibetology.

    "The activities during the festival will fully demonstrate the Chinese government's efforts to preserve and promote Tibetan culture," Wang said.

    With the support of the government, Tibet pharmacy, as the unique heritage of ethnic Tibetans, has developed into a local pillar industry, the official said, adding some Tibet pharmaceutical firms have performed well among the listed companies.

    Wang pointed out that the Tibetan people bid farewell to the backward past, when 95 percent of the population had no access to education. Today, most of the young Tibetans enjoy nine-year compulsory education. That is only part of the benefits of economic and social development achieved in Tibet since 1959, according to the Chinese official.

    "Dalai Lama and some foreign human rights organizations have not only released false news about Tibet, but also set obstacles to the demonstration activities on Tibetan culture," Wang said.

    "They should do the right thing, that is, to let Tibetan people truly have the right to display their culture and share with other people the unique beauty of their culture," he added.