NPC Tibetan delegation visits Canada

Source: CCTV.com | 03-21-2009 18:43

A delegation of Tibetan deputies to China's National People's Congress has arrived in Canada after a six-day visit to the US. The five-member delegation met the press in Toronto and talked about the development of Tibet.

Shing-tsa Tenzin-chodrak, a living Buddha and head of the delegation, said the world financial crisis has not affected Tibet too much thanks to the backing of the central government.

He said the Dalai Lama's so-called "middle way" is not acceptable to the Chinese government.

The living Buddha noted the so-called "middle way" rhetoric of the Dalai Lama sounds attractive, but in fact it is problematic.

The Dalai Lama has, in recent years, been telling the world he has stopped seeking "Tibet independence" and turned towards a "middle way," which, in fact, still aims for "Tibet independence."

The living Buddha said one of the key parts of the "middle way" is establishing a "Greater Tibet" covering not only the Tibet Autonomous Region but also all other Tibetan-inhabited areas in China.

He said "Greater Tibet" is not a historical fact and does not fit with reality.

The delegation told the press that freedom of religion is one of the basic rights of Chinese citizens, including all Tibetans.

They added that Tibetan cultural heritage has been well protected and developed over the past 50 years.

Editor:Zhang Ning