Published by World Tibet Network News - Sunday, March 23, 1997

Text of report by Chinese regional radio from Tibet

Regional Executive Vice-Chairman Gyamco met French Ambassador to China Mali [phonetic] in Lhasa on the afternoon of 17th March. French Ambassador to China Mali's two-person party paid an official business visit to the region from 12th to 18th March. During his visit, Ambassador Mali met with persons in charge of the legal affairs commission of the regional people's congress, the regional civil and religious affairs commission, the regional (words indistinct), and Lhasa City and the Xigaze Prefectural administrative office and had discussions with them. He visited the (words indistinct) Hospital and two development projects in (word indistinct) County, and the Zhaxi Lhumbo [Tashi Lhunpo] Lamasery, Potala Palace, and the Bargor Street. He paid a formal visit to the 17th Living Buddha Damabao Wujingshiliu in (word indistinct) City.

During the meeting, Regional Executive Vice-Chairman Gyamco had a friendly conversation with Ambassador Mali. Gyamco said: We welcome the ambassador to visit to Tibet. Having a look at and a tour around Tibet will be of great help in understanding Tibet. Gyamco briefed Ambassador Mali on the region's developments in various fields, and economic construction situation in particular. He said: Under the kind concern and help of the party Central Committee and with the Deng Xiaoping Theory of building socialism with Chinese characteristics as the guide, especially after the convention of the third central Tibet work forum by the central authorities in 1994, great successes have been made in Tibet's various undertakings. In 1995, the Eighth Five-Year Plan was completed smoothly. In 1996, the national economy developed in a sustained, stable, and rapid way; the region's gross national product amounted to 6.45bn yuan, a rise of 10 per cent over the previous year; and relatively great increases were registered in th

e incomes of urban residents, peasants, and herders. Tibet is now enjoying social stability and unity among all ethnic groups, with the people living and working in peace and contentment.

Gyamco also briefed Mali on the situation of aid-Tibet work in details and welcomed Ambassador Mali to conduct investigations in Tibet and cooperate in projects that both sides can jointly undertake.

Ambassador Mali said: The present official business visit was crowned with success. He thanked Tibet for its hospitality and corporation. Ambassador Mali was greatly interested in Executive Vice- Chairman Gyamco's briefing on Tibet's economic situation. Tibet's changes and economic development during his present visit made a deep impression on Ambassador Mali. He said that he will organize some agricultural, education, and health projects as soon as possible after returning to Beijing.

At the conclusion of the meeting, Gyamco presented gifts to Ambassador Mali. Present at the meeting were persons in charge of the legal affairs committee of the regional people's congress, the public security department, and the regional civil and religious affairs commission, the regional (words indistinct), and the regional office of foreign affairs.

Source: Tibet People's Broadcasting Station, Lhasa, in Standard Chinese

1130 gmt 18 Mar 97