06 March 2008
TAR chairman invites critics to see Tibet
(Xinhua) Qiangba Puncog, chairman of the TAR has repeated the claim that Tibet is an inalienable part of the Chinese territory and has been since ancient times. He told the 11th NPC: "The overseas sayings of (sic) 'Tibet independence' are groundless nonsense and secessionist activities are doomed to fail". He dismissed western criticism of human rights abuses in Tibet by apparently inviting critics to the region. Xinhua reports that he told the congress: "Seeing is believing. They should go to Tibet themselves to feel the improvements. They will reach a right conclusion then if they respect facts", Puncog said.