The European Times in Italy published a commentary on October 26, saying China has shown the world the rapid developments Tibet has experienced in the past half century, by staging the Second Forum on the Development of Tibet Autonomous Region. The abundant materials on display not only present a real Tibet to the world, but also show China’s sincerity and self-confidence in governing Tibet, which will gradually and surely prompt the international community to accept China’s policy on Tibet.

The abstracts are as follows:

The Second Forum on the Development of Tibet was completed in Rome, capital of Italy. Short as it was, the two-day forum attracted a flood of attention throughout the whole of Italian society.

At this multi-lateral international forum, government officials, scholars and business representatives from China, Italy, Austria, the United States, India, Australia, Spain and Belgium had extensive exchanges on the economy, culture, education, medical and public health, and environmental protection of Tibet. They expressed their views and understanding of Tibet from various perspectives. Through this forum, China showed the changes and developments that Tibet has experienced in the past half century objectively and truthfully.

Tibet, a holy snow-capped plateau in people’s minds, has always been mysterious and enchanting for its devout religion, unique cultural traditions and special development course. It is just this mystery added with some well-known political factors and distortions by those who have ulterior motives that makes people from the west confused about the Tibetan issue. Some people even have prejudices.

After all, it is the previous poor information channels that have stopped western people from getting an overall and profound knowledge of Tibet. Against this backdrop, those deliberate agitations will easily gain momentum. Therefore, it is urgent and essential to show people the truth, so as to eliminate the misunderstandings and prejudices. Show the world an objective and truthful Tibet and use the truth to fight back against all blind guesses and delusive defamations.

The special location and religion of Tibet hinder western people from getting a good knowledge of Tibet. To cross the territorial restriction may be relatively easy, but to gain recognition of different cultures and value systems definitely needs more time. The successful forum can be regarded as a good example. Through life experiences of people living in Tibet, abundant true statistics and especially the opinions of participating western people who have been to Tibet, the forum has eliminated many western people’s prejudices and misunderstandings of Tibet.

On March 28, 1959, the Central Government of China announced the dismissal of the original local government of Tibet, overthrew the feudal serfdom under theocracy of Tibet, and freed millions of Tibetan serfs and slaves. In the past 50 years, Tibet’s progress in all respects including economy, culture and so on is beyond doubt. Its glorious achievements owe to the correct ethnic policies of the Chinese Central Government and the concerted efforts of Chinese people of all ethnic groups. All in all, the current Tibet is enough to present the self-confidence of Chinese people. This confidence will also prompt the international community to accept Tibet and accept China.