(China Daily)
Updated: 2008-05-06 07:13

The 11th Panchen Erdeni Gyaincain Norbu (right) stops to look at a display on Sunday at the Tibet exhibition at the Cultural Palace of Nationalities in Beijing. Xinhua

The 11th Panchen Erdeni Gyaincain Norbu on Sunday visited the exhibition "Tibet, the Past and the Present" in Beijing.

More than 160 exhibits and 400 pictures of Tibet are currently on display in two halls of the Cultural Palace of Nationalities in Beijing .

The exhibition is divided into two sections: the History of Tibet and Feudal Serfdom in Old Tibet, and New Tibet Changing With Each Passing Day.

It shows the backwardness of Old Tibet and the development and progress of New Tibet, as well as the inseparable historic links between Tibet and the Chinese nation.

During his visit, the Panchen Erdeni listened attentively to the explanations by staff of the exhibits on display.

He said the exhibition reproduced the darkness and miserable lives of the people under serfdom, and Tibet's transformation over the past five decades.

"As the facts show, Tibet's prosperity is the result of joint efforts made by all ethnic groups of the region.

"It is also due to the support from the entire country and care from the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee," he said.

The hard-won, contented lives of today's Tibetans should be greatly cherished, and religious personnel should uphold patriotism, cherish their religion, abide by the law, contribute to the region's stability and development, and the nation's unity and unification, he said.

The exhibition is sponsored by the United Front Department of the CPC Central Committee, the State Council Information Office, the State Ethnic Affairs Commission and the regional government of Tibet.

The exhibition is open to the public until July 25 and admission is free.

Xinhua

(China Daily 05/06/2008 page5)