(China Daily)
Updated: 2008-05-14 07:29

The 14th Dalai Lama and his followers should stop their secessionist activities in order to show their true love for Tibet, says an article in People's Daily. The following is an excerpt:

Tibet has been a region under the jurisdiction of the Chinese central government since the Yuan Dynasty that began its rule in 1271. Through Ming and Qing dynasties and after the People's Republic of China was founded in 1949, Tibet has remained as part of the country.

In history, Tibet has never been an independent State and there has been no country around the world that openly acknowledges the so-called "Tibet independence".

This is a fact beyond any doubt and it is also common knowledge of all Chinese citizens, including those living in Tibet. It would hurt the feelings of these people and break the long tradition of religious rituals and patriotism of Tibetan Buddhism if someone tries to separate Tibet from China.

Patriotism has always been part of the Buddhist doctrine in its long history of development. The monks of great virtue in Tibetan Buddhism have also made remarkable contributions to maintaining the country's territorial integrity and sovereignty.

The Tibetan people are closely bound to other Chinese people by their love of the country and their faith in the country's future. As an important part of Chinese culture, the Tibetan culture could only thrive with its roots struck deeply in the country.

China's territorial integrity and sovereignty is one of the most fundamental interests of the country. Maintaining the unity of the country and of the ethnic groups is a holy responsibility of a Chinese citizen.

It has been proven repeatedly by history that secessionists are doomed to failure.

The only way for the 14th Dalai Lama and his followers to show their sincerity in maintaining the country's unity is to give up the idea of seeking "Tibet independence" and stop all activities aimed at separating Tibet from China. This yardstick is also valid to judge whether the Dalai Lama's group is really trying to boost the welfare of Tibetan people out of their love of the land, as it claims over and again.

(China Daily 05/14/2008 page8)