To Review the Development of Tibet Objectively

　　Kombala Withana Arachchige Kulasri Kariyawasam（Sri Lanka）

　　The term Tibet recalls to the mind of the Sri Lankan the Buddhist monk Tibet S.Mahinda who arrived in Sri Lanka during the British colonial rule and played a prominent part in Sri Lanka’s freedom struggle. He was an erudite writer and poet revered by Sri Lankans to date.

　　However, majority of Sri Lankans are ignorant of the fact that the Buddhist monk known as Tibet S.Mahinda was not a Tibetan.  Even the modern school text books mention about him as a Tibetan.  Ven. S.Mahinda came from the Sikkim state and thus he was named as Sikkim Mahinda or S.Mahinda.

　　Sri Lankans knowledge of Tibet is as poor as their knowledge of Ven. S.Mahinda Thera.  Bi-lateral relations between China and Sri Lanka are thousands of years old.  Friendly relations between the two countries have been strengthened more than ever today.  China is a very important development partner of Sri Lanka.  Added to the diplomatic relations between China and Sri Lanka the two countries have fostered close people to people friendship for a long time.

　　Sri Lankan government firmly adheres to  one China policy and always uphold that Tibet is an inalienable part of China. However, it is sad that a few Sri Lanka people are not aware that Tibet is a part of China. In the past, I have written several articles to introduce the true picture about Tibet to Sri Lanka people. As a friend of China, and a journalist who is interested in Tibet, I am very honored to attend the Fourth Forum on the Development of Tibet and believe that it will provide us a good opportunity to have a true perspective of Tibet of which we have learnt from books and to be associated with the Tibetans.

　　As we already know, there is a group of individuals who are planning to create a crisis by claiming Tibet as a separate state. Among them are the individuals living in self exile from Tibet and receiving patronage from the west.  However history has recorded that human habitats in the Qinhai-Tibet plateau started many years before Christ and marriage relations between China and Tibet started during the Tang dynasty (618-907). History of bilateral trade relations runs as far back as Song dynasty ( 960-1279) China, which had been fragmented due to foreign invasions and internal strife, and  was unified during Yuan dynasty (1206 -1368AD) After the unification, the Chinese central government introduced an administrative body for Tibet.

　　Tibet had been repressed with poverty as an underdeveloped region caught in the grip of the Lamas until the formation of the People’s Republic of China in 1949. Misconceptions and the fear psychosis created by the remnants of that period of chaos are the most formidable challenge facing Tibet to date.

　　Comments in this regard made by the British security reporter Edmond Candle after his visit to Tibet in 1904 is a clear indication of the situation in Tibet under Lamas.

　　He has said “Lamas were powerful in every sphere of administration and even the Buddha would not have been able to do anything without their help”

　　China is the only obstacle that prevents the western superpowers from making the world dancing to their tune.  China is today the second largest economy in the world and the western superpowers are not in a position to challenge her. However attempt to use Tibet as cats paw to create a crisis does not stop. Dalai Lama who is just an agent of the western forces claims to be the Buddhist leader of Tibet is a puppet in their hand and he accuses China of violating the human rights of the Tibetan people.  Our claim that Dalai Lama is a puppet in the hands of the western forces is justified in that he accused the Buddhist monks and the Buddhists in Sri Lanka regarding the recent clashes between Buddhist and Muslim extremist group.  However, this so called Buddhist leader  was moribund inactive when the LTTE massacred hundreds of Buddhist monks in cold blood and caused extensive damage to the Kandy Dalada Maligawa where the Buddhists all over the world venerate the sacred tooth relic of the Buddha. 

　　The allegation of human rights violations in Tibet should be viewed in the light of the Sri Lankan experience. The western forces have accused the Sri Lankan government of violating the human rights of the Tamil community. However they have turned a blind eye to the government’s development programmes to uplift the living standard of the Tamil community after releasing the north and east from the grip of the LTTE terrorists.　

　　The allegations regarding human rights violations in Tibet are the same.

　　During the period before 1949 the ordinary people in Tibet were considered as the slaves of a privileged class comprising a minute group of landowner aristocracy and those held the political power. The ordinary people had been deprived of the right to live free, not to mention economic development. In 1959 they were relieved from this bond of slavery when feudal system and slavery were abolished through democratic reforms that were a historic forward stride in social uplift.

　　Tibetan people are now enjoying the benefits of the progressive steps of the Chinese Communist Party. The gross regional product of Yuan 1.29 million in 1951 had reached a record high of Yuan 70.1 billon with an annual growth of 8.5%. Meanwhile the per capita real income has shot up to Yuan 22,900. The economic growth has reached a two digit value with an average of 12.7%.Substantial improvements have been made in the people's lives and their living standards. The per capita net income of farmers and herdsmen in Tibet had maintained double-digit growth for 10 consecutive years, reaching 5,719 Yuan in 2012. The per capita disposable income of urban dwellers was 18,028 Yuan. The building of a new socialist countryside, initiated in 2006, has greatly benefited local farmers and herdsmen, especially through its low-income housing projects. By the end of 2012, a total of 408,300 low-income houses were built, providing housing to 88.7 percent of local households of farmers and herdsmen. All farmers and herdsmen will have moved into safe modern houses by the end of 2013. In 2012, the per capita floor space of farmers and herdsmen was 28.77 sq m, and that of urban dwellers 36.14 sq m. In rural areas, infrastructure has been improved to provide the necessary facilities for the local population, including water, power, transportation, telecommunication, natural gas, radio and television, and postal services. Some 90 percent and 99.7 percent of Tibetan townships now have access to postal service and road network, respectively, and 94.2 percent of administrative villages could be reached by road. A total of 1.93 million farmers and herdsmen now have access to safe drinking water, and 150,000 rural households are using clean biogas. In addition, over 95 percent of rural households use iodized salt.

　　As life improves, the people are beginning to have more choices in consumption. Refrigerators, color televisions, telephones, computers, washing machines, motorcycles, mobile phones and other consumer goods have entered ordinary households. In 2012, for every 100 urban households in Tibet there were 27 cars, 16 motorcycles, 86 refrigerators, 129 color TVs, 63 computers and 88 washing machines. According to the "CCTV Economic Life Survey" jointly hosted by the National Bureau of Statistics, China Post Group, and China Central Television (CCTV),Lhasa topped the "happiness index" for five consecutive years.

　　Adhering to green and sustainable development

　　The economy of old Tibet was supported by farming, animal husbandry and handicrafts, very close to a backward natural economy. With the strenuous efforts of the local people, Tibet has established a modern economic system with local characteristics. Putting the people's interests first and seeking green and sustainable development, Tibethas adopted rigorous measures to rein in energy-extensive, high-pollution and high-emission industries. Integrating socioeconomic progress and environmental protection, Tibet strives to safeguard the long-term interests of its people.

　　Farming and animal husbandry are Tibet's traditional industries and also the supporting pillars of its economy. For decades such policies have been followed that allow the farmland and grassland to recuperate on a regular basis. And by delegating managerial authority to lower levels, cancelling the old agricultural tax, increasing capital and technical investment, and promoting comprehensive productivity, Tibet has realized balanced and sustainable development in farming and animal husbandry. The annual grain production in recent years stands above 900,000 tons. Tibet is vigorously developing agricultural products with local characteristics, and the added value of its primary industry increased from 128 million Yuan in 1959 to 8.038 billion Yuan in 2012, growing by 4.7 percent annually.

　　There was no modern industry in old Tibet, but after more than 60 years of development, modern industry has been established in Tibet from scratch, and it has grown considerably in size. Today Tibet has a modern industrial system comprising over 20 industries, including energy, light industry, textiles, machinery, mining, building materials, chemical industry, food processing, folk handicrafts and traditional Tibetan medicine. The total industrial output value skyrocketed from 1.4 million yuan in 1956 to 10.591 billion Yuan in 2012. The major industries with local characteristics have been expanding in scale, and tertiary industry is also growing rapidly. In 2012, Tibet welcomed domestic and overseas tourists on 10.584 million occasions, including foreign visitors on 194,900 occasions. In the same year, the tourism industry in Tibet generated 12.65 billion Yuan in revenue. The proportionate layout of Tibet's industrial structure in terms of primary, secondary and tertiary industries was 11.5: 34.6: 53.9.

　　The political stability has laid the foundation for the fast economic development. Tibetan people who had been serving as slaves under the feudal land lords and the rulers who deprived them of their fundamental rights as human beings are today are owners of their own property and enjoying all comforts. Since the formation of the Tibet Autonomous Regional People’s Congress, the people have the right to elect their representatives.

　　It is of significance that provisions have been made for adequate representation of minorities in the National People’s Congress of China.  The Tibetan people have the right to be represented in the Chinese National people's Congress, which is the Chinese parliament.

　　Another challenge facing Tibet is to protect its age old culture amid the ongoing development activities and urbanization.  The recent advancement of the tourist industry has further aggravated the situation.

　　Tibetan Opera has a long history and it is one of the ancient branches of Opera that exist in China today.  It is so simple that it does not demand elaborate stage backgrounds, or large theatre halls. Tibet opera is a combination of several branches of theatre unique to Tibet. Tibetan Opera is a play that is mostly sung with costumes, scenery, acting, and music to go with singing and very little dialogues. The cast get ready to come on the stage after a short practice.  However, it provides fine entertainment. A Tibet Opera show staged in any country in the world receives a high response from the playgoers.

　　Tibet is famous for many other arts and crafts including architecture, sculpture, rock carvings, murals, Thanksha art, and clay and metal ware manufacture unique to her culture It is praiseworthy that they have been able to protect this cultural heritage unique to them for centuries.

　　Tibetan Ayurveda is a method of medicine unique to them and it has changed in keeping with the modern conditions while protecting its elementary principals.  In fact it is a serious challenge to protect the elementary principal of a centuries old system of medicine. Sri Lanka was a country that inherited an advanced medical science, but it has declined in course of time. It has lost effective cures for many ailments.

　　Tourism is life blood of the Tibetan economy. Tibet Autonomous Region is in possession of a beautiful  environment rich in tourist attractions.  However environmental protection is a major challenge facing any developing country. It is unavoidable that gigantic development projects would result in environmental damage. Central government as well as the Tibet administration has taken up this challenged and implemented an effective environmental protection plan. Environmental protection regulation laws include “Water Act” Water and Soil Conservation Act”  “Grass Land Act” and “Wildlife Protection Act".  Authorities have taken step to provide adequate protection to forests, rivers, tanks, water courses, wetland, pastures, glazier, and snow mounts. Standards of water, air and environment is exquisite. More than Yuan 50 million has been spent to prevent environmental pollution caused by the disposal of waste water and emission of obnoxious gases from Lasa Brewery, Yangbajain power plant, Lasa leather works factory, and the public hospital. The expenditure on soil conservation, grass land development, and forestation in 1991 was Yuan 900 million. Tibet has been able to protect its environment as in the ancient times. Tibet is much advanced in environmental protection when compared to other areas of China.

　　Buddhism is the pinnacle of Tibet culture. Advent of Buddhism in Tibet runs as far back as the seventh century BC. Buddhism in Tibet had the influence of Bon faith that existed in the country at the time of advent of Buddhism.

　　As an organization aimed to promote friendly exchanges between our two countries, the Association for Sri Lanka China Social and Cultural Cooperation for the last few years has taken the initiative to create public awareness among Sri Lankans on China and China Sri Lanka relations. Our inter-exchange programmes are still underway. I myself am an individual who became a friend of China through such programmes.  Our endeavour is to increase the number of friends and build a strong social foundation for the bilateral relations. Our organization has built close rapport with the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CAFFC) and engaged in various activities. However our union did not have the opportunity to build relations with Tibet. Step should be taken to boost contacts between Tibet and other countries's people to eliminate misconceptions about tibet.

　　For example, Buddhism would provide the means to give a new impetus to the friendship between Sri Lanka and Tibet. Sri Lanka is a country of orthodox Therawada Buddhism while Tibet has inherited a branch of Buddhism of its own.  It is important that the Sri Lankan Buddhist monks and the lay disciples had the opportunity to learn about different branches of Buddhism.

　　There is an increasing demand for herbal medicine and natural foods in Sri Lanka and with this in view Tibetan method of Aryurvedic medicine can be popularized in Sri Lanka. At present a large number of Chinese contractors who have undertaken development projects and investors are in Sri Lanka. In this scenario Tibetan Aryurveda can be successfully introduced to Sri Lanka. After 30 years of war ,Sri Lankan government has implemented a massive programme to boost foreign investments.

　　It is through literature, arts and crafts that a clear perspective of a country can be given to the world. As I have already mentions Tibet has a rich cultural heritage of literature, art, music and dancing that can be used to draw the attention of the world on Tibet.

　　Tourism potentials in Tibet can be further developed. Thousands of Sri Lankan tourists choose China as tourist destinations, but they are under the impression that it is rather difficult to obtain tourist permit to visit Tibet.  Many others do not take any interest due to the low oxygen rate in the air. However they should know that every year Tibet experiences a heavy influx of tourists from all parts of the world.

　　Sri Lankan’s ignorance of Tibet has created a gap between Tibet and Sri Lanka and the media can play a major role to eliminate it.

　　However Sri Lankan media depends largely on western news agencies as sources of news. This has resulted in distorted facts about Tibet.

　　As the secretary of a Chinese friendship association and a journalist I have taken many a step at personal level to eliminate misconceptions about Tibet. I have published many articles in the Sinhala language giving a real perspective of Tibet, but it is not adequate. Unavailability of facts results in dissemination of baseless or distorted information.

　　Publications on Tibet should be available in Sri Lanka. However priority should be given to the Sinhala and Tamil readers that constitute the majority of Sri Lanka population. Publishing books and reading material on Tibet only in the English language will serve no purpose. With this in view a project should be implemented to translate publications in English into to Sinhala and Tamil languages.

　　However the best way to create awareness on Tibet is to provide more opportunities for the Sri Lankans to visit that country. It would be very productive if more seminars, photo exhibitions, and workshops such as this Forum are organized in Tibet and more and more Sri Lankans are invited to participate.

　　I wish all the success to the Fourth Forum on the Development of Tibet.

　　(Kulasri Kariyawasam, Secretary of Sri Lanka China Social and Cultural Cooperation)