Andrienne Clarkson, Governor General of Canada, said in her letter of congratulation that China Tibetan Cultural Week is a wonderful opportunity for Canadians to become more familiar with Tibetan traditions.

In his letter of congratulation, Chinese Premier Zhu Rongji said the excellent traditional culture of the Chinese Tibetan people is a bright pearl of the treasure-house of the Chinese culture and the world's culture and has its unique charm and splendid style.

The activities of China Tibetan Culture Week are designed to tell the Canadian people vivid stories about Tibet and display a culture of the Chinese ethnic group which is full of vitality and continues to make progress, he said.

The Chinese premier believes that the activities of China Tibetan Culture Week are a great event in the cultural exchanges between China and Canada and will help Canadian people acquire a better understanding of China's Tibet and will further promote the friendship between the two peoples.

Canadian Heritage Minister Sheila Copps, some parliament members from Canada's Ontario provincial parliament and the federal parliament, the head of the China Tibetan Culture Week Delegation, Li Gang, Chinese Ambassador to Canada Mei Ping, Chinese Consul General in Toronto Sun Shuxian were present at the ceremony.

The China Tibetan Culture Week is sponsored by the Chinese Association for Cultural Exchanges with Foreign Countries and the Tibet Autonomous Region Association with Foreign Countries.

The Tibetan Culture Week will be held in three Canadian cities-- Toronto, Ottawa, and Vancouver from September 16 to 26 with comprehensive methods of presentation, including pictures, films, TV programs, songs and dance performances and exchanges with Tibetologists. It displays Tibet's old and long history and unique local conditions and customs.

(People's Daily September 19, 2002)