A Chinese National People's Congress delegation led by Qiangba Puncog, chairman of the Standing Committee of the People's Congress of China's Tibet Autonomous Region, on Tuesday concluded a two-day visit to Brussels, Belgium.

At meetings with European Parliament (EP) Vice President Georgios Papastamkos, EP "Tibet Intergroup" Vice President Eva Lichtenberger, and chief of the Direction Committee of the Belgian Foreign Ministry Dirk Achten on Tuesday, Qiangba Puncog said Tibet is at its best historical period today.

The autonomous region is on course toward stability and development, and has witnessed remarkable achievements in political, economic, social, cultural, and environmental sectors, he said.

Qiangba Puncog noted Tibet's efforts in environmental protection in particular.

He said China's central government invested 10.2 billion yuan (1.6 billion U.S. dollars) in environmental protection in its Eleventh Five-Year Plan from 2006 to 2010, and will increase investment in this sector in the following five years.

He stressed that Tibet-related issues concern China's core interests and urged the European Parliament to view Tibet's economic and social development from a constructive perspective.

Papastamkos and Lichtenberger said the Chinese delegation's visit has enhanced their understanding of the Tibet issue and fostered consensus and mutual trust.

The European Parliament has attached great importance to its relations with China, and has been working to strengthen ties with China's People's Congress at various levels in order to promote exchanges and push forward Sino-EU ties, they said.

Achten, for his part, said Belgium would adhere to the one-China policy and would not support Tibet independence. He said Belgium stands against all statements and actions which incite and connive with Tibetan clergy to commit self-immolation.