(File Photo)

BEIJING, April 15 -- The Chinese government on Wednesday issued a white paper on southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region, lauding its development path and denouncing the "middle way" advocated by the Dalai Lama.

The white paper, "Tibet's Path of Development Is Driven by an Irresistible Historical Tide", holds that Tibet's current development path is correct.

Tibet's progress on its present path of development is an objective requirement of modern civilization. It accords with the progressive trend of society, the prevailing conditions and current reality in China, and the fundamental interests of all ethnic groups in Tibet, says the white paper, which was released by the Information Office of the State Council.

However, the paper points out that a group remains clustering around the 14th Dalai Lama, who are remnants of the feudal serf owners having long lived in exile. This group is driven by the political goal of achieving Tibetan independence and a sentimental attachment to the old theocratic society.

Having failed to instigate violence in support of their cause, they turned to the "middle way", which negates Tibet's sound development path and attempts to create a "state within a state" on Chinese territory as an interim step toward the ultimate goal of full independence.

Zhang Yun, director and researcher of Institute of History of China Tibetology Research Center, told Xinhua that the middle way is quite deceptive as it uses the rhetoric of peace and non-violence.

"The white paper offers a complete and in-depth explanation of the ulterior motives behind the middle way and why the central government can not accept it," Zhang said.

The middle way advocates a "Greater Tibet" with "a high degree of autonomy" within China. However, this idea of a Greater Tibet -- which includes Tibet, Sichuan, Yunnan, Gansu, Qinghai and other areas inhabited by Tibetans -- has never existed and the autonomy put forward by the Dalai Lama denies the leadership of the central government, and Tibet's present social and political system.

The white paper accuses the Dalai group of being opportunistic in talks with the central government.

"When they thought the situation was not working to their advantage, they would call for contact with the central government; when they thought the situation was in their favor, they would break off contact," it says.

"None of the negotiations were conducted in good faith -- it was always the intention of the Dalai Lama and his supporters to divide China and achieve independence for Tibet."

The central government has followed a clear and consistent policy concerning the Dalai Lama, the white paper stresses.

"Only when he makes a public statement acknowledging that Tibet has been an integral part of China since antiquity, and abandons his stance on independence and his attempts to divide China, can he improve his relationship with the central government in any real sense," it says.

The central government hopes that the Dalai Lama will put aside his illusions in his remaining years and face up to reality, adapt his position, choose the objective and rational path, and do something of benefit to overseas Tibetan compatriots in exile, it says.

"The only sensible alternative is for the Dalai Lama and his supporters to accept that Tibet has been part of China since antiquity, to abandon their goals of dividing China and seeking independence for Tibet, and to begin to act in the interests of Tibet and the country at large," it says.