Q: Why does the Chinese Government label the Tibet unrest criminal violence?

A: Ample facts showed what happened in Lhasa recently were not at all "peaceful demonstrations" or "non-violent" actions proclaimed by some people, but sheer violent crimes of beating, smashing, looting and burning. 18 innocent people including an infant less than one year old were burned or slashed to death. 382 people were injured. Numerous properties were set on fire. The riots has resulted in a direct economic loss of nearly RMB 250 million.

Throughout the riots, the law enforcement departments have exercised maximum restraint and used no lethal weapons in dealing with the situation. The measures taken by the Chinese Government get sincere support of the majority people including the Tibetan ethnic group. Meanwhile, 127 countries have expressed their support and understanding toward China.

Q: You say the Dalai Lama has orchestrated the unrest. Can you elaborate a little bit further?

A: It is no coincidence that the incident in Tibet and neighboring provinces and attacks against Chinese diplomatic missions in Europe happened simultaneously. A number of major criminal cases have revealed links and shows it is a vital part of the "Tibetan People's Movement" organized by the clique and the "Tibetan youth Congress". Back in his visits last year to North America and Europe, Dalai has publicly and repeatedly preached "The Beijing Olympics might be the last chance for Tibet independence". In this regard, he did what he said further to fan disruption in the Olympic torch relay, revealing his real face in front of world people.

Q: The Chinese Government is speaking against the "middle way" and "high degree of autonomy" put forward by the Dalai Lama. Isn't it an approach to resolve the Tibet problem?

A: Facts speak louder than words the real motive of Dalai. After fleeing China, Dalai has established a so-called "government-in-exile" with so-called "national flag" and a "constitution", he himself was posed as so-called "head of state", which, explicitly calling for the creation of a "federal democratic republic" in Tibet.

Disregarding the history, Dalai has called for the establishment of a "greater Tibet" that includes not only Tibet, but also Tibetan-inhabited areas in the neighbouring provinces. According to Dalai, the Han and other ethnic groups must leave this "greater Tibet", the central Government must not station troops there, and issues related to external relations must be handled by "greater Tibet" itself. By calling for such "true autonomy", Dalai is seeking nothing but "Tibet independence".

It is an international consensus that Tibet has been an inalienable part of China since the 13th century. China will never compromise on any issue concerning its sovereignty and territory integrity.

Q: We noticed the Dalai Lama has made many calls and statements on both the Tibet issue and the Olympics. How do you comment on that?

A: Since March 14 the Lhasa riot, the Dalai Lama has been making "calls" and "statements" with several ill intentions in mind to compound right and wrong.

The first is to distort facts. He is trying utmost to cover up his connection with the criminal riot by fabricating it as "peaceful demonstration". The second is to undermine the nation's ethnic unity, and to instigate ethnic conflicts. The third is to internationalize the "Tibet issue" to woo and instigate western countries to exert pressure on China. The fourth is to propagate so-called "high level of autonomy" in "greater Tibet" to seek "Tibet independence".

The Tibetan separatist forces' attempt to disturb the Olympic torch relay once again proves Dalai has unshirkable responsibility. The so-called "calls" and "statements" are nothing but a disguise to stir up the situation.

Q: Why doesn't the Chinese Government respond the Dalai Lama's proposal for dialogue?

A: The Tibet issue is entirely an internal affair of China. The conflict between the central government and the Dalai clique is by no means an ethnic or cultural issue, neither a religious nor human rights problem. Rather, it is a question either to safeguard national unification or to split China.

The obstacle for dialogue lies on Dalai side. The Chinese Government has always been patient in maintaining contact with Dalai and our policy on this is a consistent one. Already 20 batches of representatives from Dalai have visited back China and 6 rounds of contact had been conducted with Dalai's personal representatives even before the Lhasa riot, but unfortunately to no avail due to insincerity of the Dalai side.

Our door for dialogue with Dalai is still open. We have to learn not only what Dalai says, but also what he does. As long as the Dalai side stops activities splitting China, stops activities scheming and instigating violence, and stops activities sabotaging the Beijing Olympic Games, the central government of China is ready to continue contacts and talks with him at any time.

Q: What are the latest achievements in Tibet, the economic, cultural, educational, religious and etc.?

A: The old Tibet before 1959 was a feudal serfdom that practiced theocracy dictatorship by monks and nobles, which is no less dark, backward barbarous and cruel than that in Medieval Europe. Over 95% of the population were serfs who could be traded or slaughtered at their owners' discretion. The economy in Tibet was stagnant, the average life expectancy was only 35.5 years and over 90% of the population were illiterate. There was no real school and a single institute on Tibetology.

Since the democratic reform in 1959, people in Tibet today live a much better life and enjoy extensive human rights. For the past five years alone, the state has financed Tibet RMB 94.7 billion in development. GDP of the region has registered an average growth rate of above 12% for 7 consecutive years, much higher than national average. Meanwhile, income for farmers and herdsmen has been growing in double digit figure for five years running, reaching RMB 2,788 last year.

Tibet is also witnessing rapid social development. To date, the region had over 35,000 deputies to people's congress at various levels, 1,022 schools with more than 500,000 students, above 50 Tibetological institutes, and 1,378 hospitals and clinics. Admission rates for primary schools and junior middle schools for school age children reached 98.2% and 90.7% respectively. Students attending schools in rural areas do not have to pay for either food or accommodation at school. All farmers and herdsmen are covered by a medical program with increased governmental subsidy with the poor enjoy the guaranteed living expenses. The average life expectancy has increased to 67 years. Various religious activities are being carried out in a normal way, and each year there are about 1 million pilgrims visit Lhasa. There were over 1,780 religious sites and more than 46,000 lamas and nuns, i.e., one sixtieth of the population. In the past 20 years, the government has invested over RMB 700 million in repairing temples, cultural relics and religious sites, as well as made efforts in the collection and publication of Tibetan classics.

Q: What is your comment on the human right situation in China?

A: China's human rights conditions have been constantly making headways in past years.

Any one with no colored glasses would see its progress. In recently years, we have revised our constitution to include respect and protection for human rights, carried forward the judicial and legal system reform to build an equitable, just and harmonious society. We have introduced new measures fighting against Child labor and passed the new Law on Employment Contract. We are striving for early ratification of International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.

We agree different countries have different national conditions, so it is normal for people to differ on human rights issue. Therefore, China is ready to conduct dialogue with other countries on the basis of mutual respect and equality. However, China opposes to exerting political pressures under the pretext of human rights and interfering in other countries' internal affairs.

Q: The US House of Representatives, the European Parliament and the US Senate have adopted respective resolutions on the situation of Tibet one after another. How do you comment on that?

A: By passing such resolutions the US House of Representatives, the US Senate and the European Parliament have blatantly distorted the history and reality of Tibet, grossly interfered with the internal affairs of China and publicly sided with the splitting position of Dalai. They make irresponsible and unreasonable accusations against the Chinese Government over the Lhasa riots, link purposefully the Tibetan affairs with the Beijing Olympic Games. The resolutions have severely hurt the feelings of the Chinese people, to which China expresses strong indignation and resolute opposition.

We strongly urge the US and the European parliaments to respect facts, stop interfering with China's domestic affairs and their provocative and confrontational activities, refrain from applying double standards on human rights and do not offer Dalai venue for his splitting activities and disturbing the preparation of the Beijing Olympic Games. Sending any wrong political signals to Dalai and the international community shall unavoidably undermine China's relations with the US and the EU.

Q: How do you view the proposed foreign leaders' boycotting of the opening ceremony of the Beijing Olympics?

A: The IOC officials have reiterated in several occasions their support to the Beijing Olympics and the principles and spirits of the Olympic Charter, making it clear that the political factors irrelevant to the Olympics should not be dragged into the Games.

The Olympics is a major event not only for the Chinese people but also all peoples around the world. We hope to enhance mutual understanding, friendship and cooperation with other peoples through the Games, of which the divined purpose should not be politicised.

China has been in good preparation for the Games and exerted great efforts in environment improvement and infrastructure development, up to now, construction of all 38 Olympic venues has been completed. The Chinese government and the 1.3 billion Chinese people will continue to work hard in all aspects of preparations for the Beijing Olympic Games.

With its slogan "One World One Dream" deep in mind, we shall endeavor to enhance cooperation with the international society and successful stage a high level "Green Olympics,Hi-tech Olympics" and "People's Olympics".

Q: How do you see the demonstration interrupting the Beijing Olympic Torch Relay?

A: Olympic torch does not belong to China. It is a torch belongs to the whole world. Torch relay is an important way to arouse global attention, and stimulate public participation, enthusiasm and passion for the success of the Olympic Games. As the slogan of the torch relay as "Light the Passion, Share the Dream, it is supposed to fit into the theme of "Journey of Harmony" and promote mutual understanding and friendship between peoples throughout the world.

We express our strong condemnation to the deliberate disruption of the Olympic torch relay regardless of the Olympic spirit. Their despicable activities tarnish the lofty Olympic spirit and challenge all the people loving the Olympic Games around the world. We are convinced that nobody can impede the Olympic spirit and the concept of "peace, friendship and progress" represented by the Olympic torch.

Q: Air pollution in Beijing is a major concern of many athletes going to the Olympics. What measure has been taken to protect and improve the air quality?

A: The Beijing municipal government has exerted great efforts to improve air quality for the Olympics. Over 200 projects have been carried out involving 100 billion yuan. Measures implemented as more greenery planting; less emissions and lower heating radiation etc have all been proved effective. In fact, the past year has seen index of blue sky in Beijing reached 246 days. And for this Jan. it was 24 days which hit the record for past 9 years. So we are fully confident of the air quality towards the Olympics.

As a matter of fact, since last year, it is a lawful obligation for governments to meet lower emission standards together with the development of GDP. So it is a matter for sure future China will be much greener and environment-friendly.