China issues white paper on Tibet

Potala Palace bathed in the morning light in Lhasa, June 1, 2013. [Photo by Li Zhongmin/All rights reserved by chinadaily.com.cn]

BEIJING - China on Sunday issued a white paper on Tibet, reaffirming the current regional ethnic autonomous policy ahead of the 50th anniversary of the foundation of Tibet autonomous region.

Titled "Successful Practice of Regional Ethnic Autonomy in Tibet," the white paper said since the democratic reform was carried out in 1959 and regional ethnic autonomy came into practice in 1965, Tibet has established the new socialist system and achieved historic leaps and bounds in its economic and social development.

Practice has fully demonstrated that regional ethnic autonomy is a requirement for Tibet's development and progress, and conforms to the fundamental interests of all ethnic groups in Tibet.

Tibet has taken a road that unites it with all China's ethnic groups and struggles to develop equally, achieve prosperity, and make progress with them, it added.

Tibet's traditional culture is well protected and promoted, and freedom of religious belief in the region is respected and protected, while its ecological environment is protected, too, the white paper added.

As part of the Chinese nation, the Tibetan people fulfill the right to participate equally in the management of state affairs; they are thus managers of local social affairs and masters of their own destiny, creating and sharing the material and spiritual wealth of Tibet.

"Tibet is now in its golden age," the paper said.

The paper said over the years, the 14th Dalai Lama clique, in plotting towards "Tibetan independence," has constantly preached the "middle way," peddled the concept of a "Greater Tibet," and lobbied for "a high degree of autonomy," so negating regional ethnic autonomy and its contribution to Tibet's progress.

"The 14th Dalai group's separatist activities violate the Constitution of China and its state system, and greatly damage the fundamental interests of all ethnic groups in Tibet, which is why they have met strong opposition from all Chinese people, including those of all ethnic groups in Tibet, and hence why they are doomed to fail," the white paper said.