More than 170 scholars on Tibetan studies from over ten countries and regions are participating in the four-day meeting.

At the opening ceremony, Lhapa Phuntsok, director-general of the China Center for Tibetan Studies, said that worldwide scholars have paid a lot of attention to the Tibetan culture.

China hopes to enhance academic exchanges of various forms between Chinese scholars and their foreign counterparts, he said.

Lhapa said he believes the seminar will help push forward development of Tibetan studies.

Another seven domestic and overseas scholars gave academic lectures at the meeting Wednesday morning.

In the coming days, the scholars are scheduled to discuss social development, economic construction, history, religion, literature, linguistics and pharmacology of the Tibetan nationality.

A book show on Tibetan studies and lectures on Tibetan medicines will also be held during the meeting.

In addition, the participants will visit the Tibetan relics exhibition at Beijing's Palace Museum. Some foreign experts are expected to visit the Tibet Autonomous Region after the seminar.

Statistics show that China has more than 50 academic institutes for Tibetan studies, with about 2,000 researchers.

(People’s Daily 07/25/2001)