"In implementing the family planning policy, the regional government has, in line with the situation in the region, given full respect to traditional Tibetan culture and the religious beliefs of Tibetans," Purbu Zhoima said in an interview with a group of reporters from Beijing.

    She stressed that "There is no mandate for carrying out the family planning policy."

    The number of women of child-bearing age in the region was more than 500,000 in 2000, and more than 30 percent of them have already had three children, according to the official.

    Most parts of China, especially cities, have implemented a policy which encourages one couple to have only one child.

    At present, the regional government does not impose limits on child birth in remote areas of Tibet inhabited by Tibetans and other minority ethnic groups, but encourages local people to live a married life in a scientific and civilized manner.

    Purbu Zhoima said, since 1990, the regional government has initiated a proposal which encourages couples in farming and pastoral areas to have three children in separate time periods. The population of farmers and herdsmen accounts for 89 percent of the region's total population.

    But, those families with five to six children, or even more children, have never been punished, she said, adding women of child-bearing age have the right to choose how many children they want and what ways of contraception they use. She explained that family planning in Tibet does not simply focus on population control, but combines family planning, health care of women and children, eradication of poverty and building civilized and happy families.

    "It is also an important measure for protecting the legitimate rights of local women and children, improving population quality in an all-around way and guaranteeing the sustainable development of Tibet," the official noted.

    Since 1996, a total of 1,203 medical workers engaged in family planning have been sent to conduct medical services for 300,000 patients around the region. At the same time, Tibet has also strengthened efforts to publicize the knowledge on sexual health and the optimum methods of child-bearing and child-rearing, the official said.

    Purbu has two children. She said, with the development of productivity and changes taking place in lifestyle, more and more Tibetan women have discovered the advantages brought about by family planning and scientific contraception in protecting their health and lightening the burdens on their families.

    She said, as a basic policy of China, the family planning policy is implemented in Tibet with strong flexibility. "The majority of people in Tibet are willing to accept the policy," Purbu said.

    Currently, in the region's farming and pastoral areas the birth rate is 20 per thousand. The mortality rate has dropped markedly. Especially that of infants and pregnant women, which have dropped to the current 35 per thousand and 46 per 10,000, respectively, from the former 430 per thousand and 500 per 10,000 in the early years following the peaceful liberation of Tibet in 1951.