News

Consensus reached on Tibetan development

By Tan Hongkai (chinadaily.com.cn)
Updated: 2011-11-11 23:21

Athens -- The Third Forum on the Development of Tibet concluded Friday afternoon in the Greek capital with a consensus on the positive impacts of recent changes taking place in the autonomous region, and an appeal for the international community to contribute to its future progress.

"The attendees point out that modernization is a common pursuit of all the countries and regions across the globe, and that Tibet’s modernization drive is in line with the fundamental interests of the Tibetan people," says the Athens Communiqué of the Third Forum on the Development of Tibet.

"The attendees commend the policy support and material assistance that China's central government and other areas in China provided to facilitate the development and modernization of Tibet while preserving its traditional culture," it points out. "The attendees back the concept of a people-oriented, comprehensive, balanced and sustainable development, which was proposed by the Chinese government. "

The document embodies the prevailing understanding at the forum that what happened in Tibet deserves to be presented to and appreciated by all people truly concerned about the region's and its people's wellbeing. And the general public, especially those in the West, needs to be notified that what they hear and hold as true about Tibet may be substantially divergent from the ground truth on the roof of the world.

And the forum was not about image-presenting, or –correcting. Besides the talk about understanding and friendship, the communiqué landed on what it termed as “pragmatic collaboration".

"The attendees agree that the international community and Tibet embrace excellent opportunities and broad prospects in the areas of energy, environment, education and public health care," it says.

The two-day forum was sponsored jointly by the State Council Information Office of China, the Chinese Embassy in Greece and the Hellenic-Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry.