DALAI 2 LST

The Dalai Lama is scheduled to visit Tawang monastery to
deliver spiritual discourse to his followers at the invitation
of local leaders and also dedicate a new hospital, built in
part with funds donated by him.
Dalai Lama recently visited Taiwan, which Beijing
considers part of its territory and met with political leaders
on the island, despite strong criticism from China.
During the press conference, Dalai Lama raised concerns
over the plight of Tibetans and other ethnic minorities in
China, urging journalists to visit there to assess the
conditions without the presence of security officers.
"If the reality in Tibet is what the Chinese government
claims, then our information is wrong. We would have to
apologise and cease all our activities," the Tibetan spiritual
leader said.
"... But if it is not as what the government claims,
then Beijing should take a realistic approach at solving the
situation because propaganda isn't going to work," he said.
He said allowing the media to report the truth about
Tibet would help China build trust with other countries and
that would increase its authority in global affairs.
Although branded as a separatist trying to tear Tibet
away from Chinese rule, the Dalai Lama insisted he is seeking
genuine autonomy, not outright independence.
The Tibetan spiritual leader is on a nine-day trip to
Japan, during which he will visit the southern Japanese island
prefecture of Okinawa and the western Shikoku Island city of
Matsuyama to deliver lectures. PTI