VANCOUVER, Sept. 2 (Xinhua) -- A seminar was held here on Thursday between a delegation of Chinese specialists in Tibet studies and scholars with the Institute of Asian Research of the University of British Columbia (UBC).
The Chinese specialists briefed their Canadian counterparts on the latest development of China's Autonomous Region of Tibet, their latest research and studies on this region.
Zha Luo, head of the delegation and also associate professor with the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, said that Canadian scholars showed their interest in the current development in Tibet as well as going to the autonomous region for academic research.
"They showed interest in the development of Tibet, as well as our academic research in the autonomous region, expecting Canadian scholars to go to China for academic exchanges and graduate students go to China for field research. They are really interested in that and hope for future cooperation with us in these fields. We certainly welcome their idea and also expect to deepen the exchanges," he said.
Describing the seminar as very interesting, Tsering W. Shakya, Canadian Research Chair in Religion and Contemporary Society, said: "You have the representative from the Academy of Social sciences Mr. Zha Luo. He was able to explain all the different projects and research regarding the progress in China. And Hu Yan from the central party school gave a very comprehensive report about work and research, academic studies done at the party school regarding Tibet and have a good understanding and an explanation of different touch of academic research that is happening in China about Tibet."
Jessica Main, scholar with Institute of Asian Research, said that the meeting was a great opportunity to explore different options for collaborations in the future.
"It seems to me there are many opportunities both for our students going abroad to China to study and for students and professors coming abroad here to deepen our knowledge of the Tibet Autonomous Region," she said.
"I also touch on Tibetan subjects, as well, of course, my students here are very interested in Tibetan Buddhism and, constantly, desiring more knowledge and more sources."
The Chinese delegation arrived in Vancouver Thursday noon in the first leg of their North America tour. They will visit Toronto, Ottawa, New York, Washington DC and Los Angeles.
"As people with local media, government and educational circles pay close attention to the development of Tibet, we are going to brief them on the new blueprint for the future development of Tibet so as to deepen people's understanding of Tibet's development."
