China Perspective

Tibet exhibition opens eyes in Spain

(China Daily)
Updated: 2010-11-17 07:58

Tibetologists and Tibetan medicine experts make a presentation during the 2010 Tibetan Culture Week in Madrid, Spain. [Photo/Xinhua]

MADRID - Tibet has made notable achievements over the past 60 years, and its development reflects the requirements of the social advancements and the fundamental wishes of the Tibetan people, Chinese Tibetologist Pubu Cering said during the ongoing China Tibetan Culture Week on Tuesday.

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Pubu is leading a Tibetologist delegation for the week, after the cultural event's launch in the Spanish capital on Monday.

At a seminar attended by dozens of overseas Chinese and students, he outlined the achievements that Tibet had made during its modernization process, saying the Tibetan people had always been the principal force behind and the main beneficiaries of development.

He said Tibet's GDP had soared from 174 million yuan ($26 million) to 44.1 billion yuan ($6.65 billion) between 1959 and 2009.

Besides the economic increase, Tibet has also made great progress in education, technology, medical health and cultural protection, Pubu said.

With the help and support of the central government and Chinese people from other regions, Tibet will surely continue to build a more brilliant future, he said.

The "2010 China Tibetan Culture Week" was launched in Madrid on Monday with an exhibition of traditional paintings and colorful pictures of Tibet.

Dong Yunhu, deputy director of the Chinese State Council Information Office, said it was the first time a cultural event on Tibet was held in Spain, and represented an important moment of cultural understanding between Spain and China.

"I believe the culture week will provide a rare opportunity for Spanish people to get a close look at Tibet, its culture, people and development," Dong said.

The 10-day "2010 China Tibetan Culture Week" - also celebrated in Valencia - will also see several events featuring Tibetan music and dance as well as exchanges with tibetologists and specialists in traditional Tibetan medicine.

Josus Osuna, chairman of the Spanish Association of Friends of China, said at the opening ceremony that Spanish people have a strong interest in Tibet, but noted their knowledge about the region is limited.

The chairman said he believed the cultural event would open a window for the Spanish people, helping them improve their knowledge about Tibet.

He added that he hoped Spain and China could improve cooperation and mutual understanding through cultural exchanges.

The 2010 China Tibetan Culture Week is co-sponsored by the State Council Information Office, the government of the Tibet autonomous region and the Chinese embassy in Spain.

China Daily - Xinhua

(China Daily 11/17/2010 page23)