The Tibetan people's freedom of religious belief, traditional customs and habits, and their freedom to study, use and develop their own language have been respected and protected.

The white paper says great progress has been made in standardization of information technology in the Tibetan language.The Tibetan code is the first ethnic minority written language in China to have reached the international standards.

Radio, TV, telephone and the Internet have become the main methods for the Tibetan people to learn or communicate with the rest of the country and the world.

The white paper says people's political status has been constantly raised, and their participation in political affairs is becoming more and more extensive.

Currently, of all the officials in Tibet, 79.4 percent are Tibetans and people from other ethnic minorities. Of the deputies to the people's congress at the regional, county and township levels, those from the Tibetan ethnic group and other ethnic minorities make up 82.4 percent, 92.62 percent and 99 percent, respectively.

The white paper notes that Tibet's march toward modernization conforms to the world historical trend and the law of development of human society, and embodies the internal demands of Tibet's social development and the fundamental interests and wishes of theTibetan people.

Tibet's modernization makes an inseparable part of China's modernization drive, and the inevitable demand from the people of all ethnic groups for realizing common prosperity and the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.

The white paper says as Tibet's modernization drive is unfolding in the unique land of Tibet, it must proceed from Tibet's actual conditions and take the road with Tibet's local characteristics.

It notes in the end that the modernization drive in Tibet has been pushing forward consistently during the protracted struggle against the Dalai Lama clique and international hostile forces.