Assembly Leaders from EU, China's Tibet Meet in Brussels

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Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Thursday, March 28, 2002

Assembly Leaders from EU, China's Tibet Meet in Brussels

Chairman of the Standing Committee of the People's Congress of Tibet Autonomous Region Raidi, who is currently on a four-day visit to the EP and the Kingdom of Belgium, said that for Tibet, human rights can be achieved only by abolishing the theocratic feudal serfdom first and foremost, just as what happened in Europe centuries ago.

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Tibetan Delegation Visits European Parliament

European Parliament President Pat Cox on Tuesday met an assembly delegation from China's Tibet Autonomous Region on Sino-EU ties.

"There are many differences between China and European countries in social system, historical background, cultural tradition and values. The European concepts of human rights are consistent with Europe's history, tradition and reality," said Raidi, head of the delegation and Chairman of the Standing Committee of the People's Congress of Tibet Autonomous Region of China.

"As far as Tibet is concerned, human rights can be achieved only by abolishing the theocratic feudal serfdom first and foremost, just as what happened in Europe centuries ago," he told Cox, the newly-elected parliament leader of the 15-nation European Union.

Raidi also said that Tibet has a long history and a splendid civilization, but it lagged behind in modern times when the rest of the world was progressing with rapid strides.

"The modernization process in Tibet started in 1951. With the unremitting efforts of the people of various ethnic groups in Tibet, our modernization program has achieved tremendous progress," he said.

While welcoming the delegation from China's Tibet, Cox said Raidi and his six colleagues' visit to the European Parliament was a very important one and he hopes that both sides further promote the political dialogue at all levels and strengthen exchanges and mutual understanding.

Legislators Visit European Parliament, Belgium

Addressing a reception jointly held Monday evening by the Chinese mission to the European Union (EU) and the Chinese Embassy in Belgium, Raidi noted that his delegation is the first from China's Tibet to visit the European Parliament and Belgium. He said the visit presents a good chance for the two sides to deepen mutual understanding and promote friendship.

"The feudal system and serfdom were still in force in Tibet in the first half of last century, which caused tremendous misery to the Tibetan people, and I was one of them," he said. "With the implementation of democratic reforms in Tibet in 1959, millions of serfs gained freedom."

Raidi briefed those present at the reception on the earthshaking changes which have taken place in Tibet since the reform. The GDP of the Tibetan Autonomous Region in 2001 was 35.5 times that of 1951, he noted. And the living standard of the people there has improved remarkably, he added.

Tibet is an inseparable part of Chinese territory and this is a historical fact widely recognized by the international community, Raidi stressed. He added that the Chinese government follows the policy of freedom of religion and the legal rights and interests of believers are protected by law.

In his speech, Struan Stevenson, Chairman of Committee on Fisheries of the European Parliament, expressed warm welcome to the Chinese delegation from Tibet Autonomous Region. Stevenson, who is also member of Delegation for Relations with the People's Republic of China, said he hoped the two sides would enhance communications and deepen mutual understanding in the future.

Also on Monday the delegation held talks with Anthony Cary, Office Director for European Commissioner on External Relations Chris Patten. Raidi briefed Cary on the economic and social progress and freedom of religion in Tibet and discussed the implementation of EU's agriculture aid program in Shigatse area, Tibet.

Photo Exhibition on Tibet Opens in European Parliament

A photo exhibition featuring the profound traditional heritage and beautiful scenery of China's Tibet Autonomous Region, the first of its kind ever conducted in the European Union, opened in the European Parliament (EP) Tuesday in Brussels.

Chairman of the Standing Committee of the People's Congress of Tibet Autonomous Region Raidi, who is currently on a four-day visit to the EP and the Kingdom of Belgium, said at the opening ceremony that the exhibition is just a window through which Westerns can have a glimpse of the Tibet Autonomous Region.

This exhibition is also a channel to enhance mutual understanding, he said.

Elly Plooij-van Gorsel, EP's Chairman of Delegation for Relations with the People's Republic of China, said that event is the best way to persuade and a unique way of strengthening cooperation between the EP and the People's Congress of the Tibet Autonomous Region.

More than 100 people including members of the EP attended the opening ceremony and they showed profound interest in the exhibition and the long history of the rich culture it reflects.

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