Experts say Brazil can learn from Tibet

The Tibet autonomous region was cited as an example Brazil can learn from to resolve its regional development imbalance, Brazilian experts said during a seminar on Monday, featuring a Tibetan delegation and hosted by the Chinese Consulate in Rio de Janeiro.

The seminar, in Consul General Song Yang's residence, aimed to foster more knowledge about Tibet in Brazil and boost ties between China and Brazil.

"Tibet is an important theme in the strategic relationship between Brazil and China. I hope this seminar can contribute to boost relations," Song said.

The Tibetan delegation was headed by Xinza Danzengquzha, vice-chairman of the Standing Committee of the People's Congress of Tibet, who said that they aimed at presenting Tibet to Brazilians through their own experiences. Xinza said that he and the other two members of the delegation were born and raised in the region.

"We would like to present the real Tibet to Brazilians. We wish everyone to learn about Tibet in a comprehensive and objective manner," he said.

Carlos Tavares was among the Brazilian experts on China participating in the seminar. Tavares has written 10 books on China, and President Xi Jinping once referred to him as "a man with a Chinese heart".

The other Brazilian experts were lawyer Danillo Santos, whose ties with the People's Republic of China predate the establishment of diplomatic ties between China and Brazil; economist Ronnie Lins; and Severino Cabral, president of the Brazilian Institute for China and Asia-Pacific.

Tavares said he has studied the history of the development of Tibet and has already dedicated one chapter in one of his books specifically to Tibet. But he lamented that during his five visits to China, he had never had the chance to visit Tibet. Once again he repeated his hope to visit the region, even though he is 91 years old.