Recently, a few Indian media published wrong comments openly supporting the so-called "Tibetan Policy and Support Act" of the United States and advocating Indian interference in China's Tibet(Xizang) affairs. Spokesperson of Chinese Embassy in India Counselor Ji Rong made a solemn statement refuting the wrong arguments and clarifying China's principle and position.

Counselor Ji Rong pointed out that the U.S. act on Xizang maliciously distorts Xizang's social development, makes groundless accusations, denigrates China's ethnic and religious policies, and interferes in the normal reincarnation procedure of living Buddhas under the pretext of human rights and religion. The real purpose of the act is to undermine Xizang's prosperity and stability. It grossly interferes in China's internal affairs and gravely violates the fundamental principles of international laws and basic norms governing international relations. China expresses its strong indignation and firm opposition to it.

Xizang has been part of China since ancient times. Xizang affairs are purely China's internal affairs that allow no foreign interference. Over the past 60 years or so after the peaceful liberation, Xizang has enjoyed vibrant economic growth, a harmonious and stable society, prosperous cultural development, beautiful ecological environment, and its people of various ethnic groups are united, generous towards each other and living a better life. All residents, including Zang ethnic minority, enjoy full religious freedom with their rights fully respected and protected. Xizang-related issues are not about ethnicity, religion or human rights, but an important matter of principle concerning China's sovereignty and territorial integrity. The Chinese government is determined in safeguarding national sovereignty, security and development interests. China firmly opposes any country, organization or individual supporting the anti-China separatist activities of the "Tibetan independence" forces in any form and under any pretext.

Reincarnation of living Buddhas, as a unique institution of inheritance in Tibetan Buddhism, comes with a set range of rituals and conventions. The Chinese government implements the policy of freedom of religious belief. The reincarnation system is respected and protected by such legal instruments as Regulations on Religious Affairs and Measures on the Management of the Reincarnation of Living Buddhas. The institution of reincarnation of the Dalai Lama has been in existence for several hundred years. The 14th Dalai Lama himself was found and recognized following religious rituals and historical conventions, and his succession was approved by the then central government. Therefore, reincarnation of living Buddhas including the Dalai Lama must comply with Chinese laws and regulations and follow religious rituals and historical conventions.

In 2003, China and India signed the Declaration on Principles for Relations and Comprehensive Cooperation Between the People's Republic of China and the Republic of India, in which India recognizes that Xizang Autonomous Region is part of the territory of the People's Republic of China and India does not allow Tibetans to engage in political activities against China in India. This commitment was reaffirmed in subsequent bilateral documents between the two countries.

It is in the fundamental interests of China and India, as two neighboring countries and emerging economies, to enhance political mutual trust, properly manage differences, and strive to return China-India relations to the track of healthy and stable development. We hope some Indian media take an objective and fair stance on issues concerning China's sovereignty and territorial integrity, grasp the highly sensitive nature of Xizang-related issues, look at Xizang's economic and social progress objectively, do more to help China-India bilateral relations move forward instead of advocating playing "Tibet card" to meddle in China's internal affairs and further damage the bilateral relations.