The Hindu: News / International: “Ahead of the third anniversary of the March 14 riots in Tibet, a top official from the region said the government would pay more attention to preserving Tibetan culture to address rising concerns about imbalanced growth.
“If there is no culture, there will be no development,” Na Ceng, a Tibetan adviser to the Chinese People’s Political Consultative 
Conference (CPPCC), China’s top political advisory body, said in an interview with The Hindu.
“Culture is like the eye of a person. It plays a crucial role,” said Ceng, who in 1943 was recognised as a Tibetan “living Buddha.”
Ceng is among a group of delegates who has pushed forward a proposal for China’s first ever law on the preservation of intangible cultural heritage, during the ongoing annual session of the National People’s Congress (NPC), the country’s top legislative body.
The law, passed by the NPC this week, mandates that regional governments should do more to preserve minority cultures, including oral literature and cultural practices.
Ceng acknowledged that Tibet was facing a huge challenge “in transferring Tibetan Buddhism to the next generation.” “The cultural preservation law can play an important role.” …
Asked about recent protests over a move to expand the introduction of Mandarin Chinese as “a common language” in Tibetan universities, he said it would be ensured that “only Tibetan language” was spoken and taught in religious institutions. In October, hundreds of Tibetan students in the western Qinghai province and in Beijing protested the policy, which has subsequently been suspended.
Ceng, however, said “bilingual education” in schools and colleges, for Tibetan students to learn Mandarin, was a necessity, if Tibet was not to be left behind other regions.
via The Hindu : News / International : China hints at new development approach to Tibet.
China is keenly aware that it needs to resolve the Tibetan issue before it escalates with an increasing number of self-immolations, not only amongst monks but with lay citizens too.
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