Tibetans enjoy harmonious religious lives, unity: expert

GENEVA - A Tibetan scholar told a United Nations (UN) Committee on Monday that China's Tibet enjoys rapid growth and harmony among all ethnic groups today.

Dr. Luo Dan, vice-president of the Tibet Socialism College, told members of the UN Elimination of Racial Discrimination here what Tibet is really like in his eyes.

"Let me tell you in a responsible manner that today's Tibet enjoys a sound and rapid growth, ever-increasing living standards, an improving eco-environment, progress and unity shared by all ethnic groups, harmonious religious lives, social law and order and happiness enjoyed by all people," said the expert.

He said various religions coexist in Tibet, including Tibetan Buddhism, Islam, and Catholicism. There are about 1,787 religious sites where religious activities are carried out, and more than 46,000 registered monks and nuns in the region.

"Large-scale religious activities like Kora around holy mountains and rivers, Saga Dawa Festival, Buddha Painting Displays, etc. are protected and inherited," he said.

He told the UN committee that the Shoton Festival kicked off on Saturday, a festival which was granted a national intangible cultural heritage status in 2006.

"My Han and Tibetan friends from all walks of life sent me a lot of photos taken in Drepung Monastery where the huge Buddha Painting was displayed. They were very delighted to see that the activity was in perfect order, and the atmosphere was good," said the expert.

He added that his friends also told him they were going to Norbulinka Park and Zongjiao Lukang Park to watch Tibetan opera performances.

"In the following days, there will be 10 cultural activities like horsemanship performances and a traditional Tibetan costumes exhibition taking place in Lhasa city during the week-long Shoton Festival," he told the panel which is renewing China's report on the implementation of a related convention.

Last month, said the scholar, the Tibet Socialism College co-organized a training class with the local government for Tibetan inheritors of intangible cultural heritage to further study policies, laws and professional knowledge.

"We invited experts and scholars to give them training on the cultural industry, the protection of intangible cultural heritage and ecological protection, with an aim to help develope cultural enterprises" he said.