By Xinhua writer Xiong Zhengyan
BEIJING, Feb. 25 (Xinhua) -- A prominent Indian
journalist on Wednesday rejected Tibetan independence "propaganda", saying the
region's economic growth was good and atmosphere was "relaxed".
"Problems are largely in the minds of some sections
abroad, 'make-believe Tibet', and the propaganda of the pro-independence
movement of Dalai Lama," Narasimhan Ram, editor-in-chief of The Hindu, a leading
English-language Indian daily, told Xinhua on Wednesday.
Ram's comments came after he concluded a two-day trip
to the southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region earlier this week. It was Ram's
third visit to Tibet since 2000.
"People always asked why I went to Tibet again and
again," Ram said, attributing the visits to his intention to "check the
reality".
Ram described how the Dalai Lama and the Tibetan
government-in-exile were active in India, claiming Tibetans were made minorities
by the Han people and proclaiming a greater Tibet with a population of 6
million.
Ram has traveled to various parts of the region, from
the capital city of Lhasa to underdeveloped villages. He has seen schools,
monasteries, orphanages and factories.
"The reality is that Tibet is on the road economically and the atmosphere there is relaxed, not tense at all," Ram said.
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A Tibetan villager fixes a flagstaff with Chinese national flag next to his new house in Kunggar Town of Maizhokunggar County in Lhasa, capital of southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region, Feb. 11, 2009. (Xinhua Photo)
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"Tibet is remote for ordinary Chinese. You must be a
fool to say Tibetans are a minority," Ram said.
The total population of the region hit 2.84 million in 2007, with Tibetans accounting for 92 percent, according to official figures.
Ram said the problem facing Tibet was the economic
slowdown as the world financial crisis took its toll on the region.
"But the growth rate of Tibet is still good, up about
10 percent per year, much higher than other parts of the world."
Ram's latest visit coincided with the run-up to the
Tibetan New Year. "We witnessed fewer people in work places as they went back
home to celebrate the New Year," Ram said.
He said there was no sign of strain or suppression there as people were filled with excitement and the atmosphere was festive.
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Tibetan villagers dance during a celebration for moving into new houses in Kunggar Town of Maizhokunggar County in Lhasa, capital of southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region, Feb. 11, 2009.(Xinhua Photo)
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"There were plenty of signs of prosperity on my long
drive from Lhasa to Nyingchi," Ram said.
Of the region's move to commemorate the end of feudal
serfdom every year on March 28 -- the day the Chinese government dissolved the
aristocratic local government of Tibet and freed more than 1 million serfs in
1959, he said, "It is a good decision."
"There were serf systems in many countries, but it
was worse in Tibet," Ram said.
"The contrast between the old and new is very
powerful, demonstrating what the Chinese government and the system have done for
Tibet."
>>>Journalists from home and
abroad cover Tibet<<<
Tibet in foreign eyes: from
"propaganda" to "public relations"
BEIJING, Feb. 23 (Xinhuanet) -- China's move
to arrange foreign reporters on a Tibet media tour
shows its concept of foreign publicity has changed from one
of "propaganda" to one of "public relations," according to a reporter
of Singapore's Lianhe Zaobao. The following is an excerpt of the
article:
At a banquet for foreign
reporters, special arrangements were made to ensure that each officer
was seated next to a guest. In this way the two parties were
easy to chat over dinner about their work and life in Tibet, and exchange
views on the Han-Tibetan relations, and so on. Full story
Reporters witness great changes in Tibet
BEIJING, Feb. 16 (Xinhuanet) -- The State Council
Information Office and the Foreign Ministry organized a group of journalists
from home and abroad to visit the Tibet Autonomous Region in southwest China to
cover the social and economic development of Tibet since the Democratic Reform
in 1959. Full story
