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Athens Communiqué on Tibet Development Forum

By Tan Hongkai (chinadaily.com.cn)
Updated: 2011-11-11 23:32

Athens Communiqué of the Third Forum on the Development of China's Tibet

The State Council Information Office of China, the Chinese Embassy in Greece and the Hellenic-Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry jointly hosted the Third Forum on the Development of China’s Tibet in the Greek capital Athens from November 10 to November 11, 2011. More than 300 people, including government officials, experts and scholars, business representatives, and media personages from China and other countries from Europe and Asia, have attended the forum.

The forum, which carries the theme of furthering the global understanding of Tibet and enhancing China's cooperation with other countries regarding Tibet’s development, was convened to undertake an in-depth examination and discussion of the topics relating to Tibet’s economic and social development, cultural inheritance, environmental protection, science and technology, education, public health care, tourism development, as well as investment opportunities in Tibet for Greece and other countries. Delegates reached consensus on many issues.

Delegates from relevant Chinese government departments and the Tibet Autonomous Regional Government expound, based on their own experiences, the planning and measures for Tibet’s development, formulated by China’s central government, introduced the development of Tibet’s economy, society, culture, education, public health care, tourism and environmental protection, and also talked about the opportunities, challenges and prospects of Tibet's modernization drive. A number of attendees from Greece, the UK, France, Germany, India and Nepal has made many trips to Tibet and they have closely examined the issues regarding Tibet’s development and presented original opinions on those issues. Drawing on their own experiences and research, they set forth their different perspectives on the development of Tibet's modernization and put forward many constructive ideas and suggestions. Also, government officials and business representatives from China and Greece consulted with each other on exchange and cooperation in the fields of economy, society, culture and environmental protection, and reached preliminary agreements.

The attendees point out that modernization is a common pursuit of all the countries and regions across the globe, and that Tibet's modernization drive is in line with the fundamental interests of the Tibetan people. Over the past six decades, China’s Tibet has made historic strides in the development of its social system, economy and society, as much significant progress has been made in all areas and Tibetan people’s quality of life has been dramatically improved. Tibet is currently enjoying the best era of development in its history.

The attendees commend the policy support and material assistance that China’s central government and other areas in China provided to facilitate the development and modernization of Tibet while preserving its traditional culture, and expressed confidence that Tibet will continue on its path of successful development. The attendees back the concept of a people-oriented, comprehensive, balanced and sustainable development, which was proposed by the Chinese government. They further note that the Chinese government has spared no efforts and made significant headway in protecting traditional Tibetan culture and Tibet’s ecological environment, while pushing for progress in all areas, including Tibet’s economy, science and technology, education, public health care and tourism.

The attendees agree that the international community and Tibet embrace excellent opportunities and broad prospects in the areas of energy, environment, education and public health care. Therefore, exchanges should be encouraged and supported to facilitate understanding and friendship, and promote pragmatic collaboration.

The attendees acknowledge the efforts made by the sponsors of the forum, and believe that the success of the Forum on the Development of China’s Tibet holds great significance for helping the international community deepen its understanding of and increase its knowledge about Tibet in an objective fashion, and helping people from all walks of life reach a consensus, which will, in turn propel the development of Tibet in a better and faster way and benefit all ethnic groups in Tibet. The attendees appeal internationally for more joined care about Tibet's development, so that more people can contribute their knowledge and strength to its further development as well as the preservation of its history and culture.