Beijing – Stung by criticism since the opening of its new Himalayan rail line, China went on a charm offensive last week in a bid to convince the world it is doing everything possible to preserve and develop Tibetan culture.
The opening of the Qinghai-Tibet Railway on July 1 had sparked speculation that the $4.1 billion train linking Tibet with the rest of the country was part of a strategy to dilute Tibetan culture and identity as a way of blunting calls for independence. The railway exposes environmentally sensitive Tibet, which China has controlled for 55 years, to more tourists, Han Chinese workers and trade.
At a two-day forum in Beijing, Chinese authorities and supportive scholars sought to counter international criticism.
“The Chinese government has always shown much concern and attached great importance to the preservation and development of Tibetan culture,” Lhagpa Phuntshogs, director-general of the government-funded Chinese Center for Tibetan Studies, told reporters in Beijing.
One of the media’s biggest misconceptions is the view that Tibetan culture should be kept as is, said Sithar, deputy minister with the Communist Party’s United Front responsible for Tibet policy and who goes by one name.
“The culture should move forward and adapt to the times so it can better suit new development,” Sithar said.
Beijing’s effort to boost its global reputation were marred, however, by reports that Chinese soldiers had opened fire late last month on unarmed Tibetan refugees trying to flee into Nepal.
In recent years, Beijing has devoted more attention and resources to the Tibetan culture issue, Tibetan rights groups said, to counter claims by exiled spiritual leader Dalai Lama that China is degrading Tibetan culture.
