Accusations that the Chinese Government is "practicing cultural genocide in Tibet" are false and irresponsible, said Australian Tibetologist Colin Mackerras here on Tuesday at the China Tibetan Culture Forum.

"I argue that this charge is false and irresponsible," he said. "Contrary to what the Dalai Lama claims, the Chinese government has actively promoted Tibetan culture and looks set to continue doing so."

Mackerras, professor emeritus of Griffith University in Australia and resident professor of Beijing University of Foreign Studies, says the Dalai Lama accused the Chinese government of practicing cultural genocide in Tibet in a formal speech before the British Parliament in London in 1996.

Mackerras said that late Chairman Mao Zedong showed considerable sympathy for Tibetan culture in the 1950s. However, the Cultural Revolution came down hard on all traditional cultures in China including the dominate people. The impact on Tibetan culture was particularly severe, partly because of its connection with the Dalai Lama and separatism.

"I recall visiting Tibet in 1985, and being struck by the strength of Tibetan culture revival and survival," he said.

He said even at that time, the Dalai Lama and his supporters were accusing the Chinese of trying to destroy Tibetan culture.

After 1985, Mackerras visited Tibet three times - in 1990, 1997 and 2002, and areas inhabited by Tibetans in Gansu, Qinghai, Yunnan and Sichuan.

"There I saw many signs of active traditional Tibetan culture and believe the accusations (of cultural genocide) to be unfair and irresponsible," he said. "Not only was Tibetan culture not dying out, but it was quite prosperous and had the active support of the Chinese government."

Lhaba Puncog, vice-president of China Association for Preservation and Development of Tibetan culture, which is the chief organizer of the forum, said the Chinese government has taken a number of measures to protect Tibetan traditional culture.

The government has carried out large-scale collection and compilation of folk works, which has led to the recovery of a large number of endangered cultural heritages. It has also undertaken large-scale maintenance of the Potala Palace, the Jokhang Temple and the Samye Monastery, he said

He said the government has pushed to have the Potala Palace, the Jokhang Temple and the Norbulingka enlisted as World Culture Heritage sites by UNESCO.

Wu Shujing, executive president of the World Trade Center Association (Hong Kong), said the local government has started to limit the number of visitors to the Potala Palace each day.

"It shows the government cares about protecting the Potala Palace," said Wu. "Such practice deserves commendation."

Lai Shianlung, former senior official of Social and Economic Affairs Office of the United Nations, said the Chinese Government has paid great attention to the role of culture in the development process and worked hard to minimize friction and misunderstanding. It has worked hard to enhance traditional Tibetan language, painting, music, medicine and religion.

Changngopa Tseyang, vice president of Tibet University, said Tibet did not possess any schools of modern standards under the former system of feudal serfdom. As a result, as many as 95 percent of Tibetans were illiterate. Nowadays, 59.4 percent of Tibetan youngsters enjoy nine-year compulsory education and the illiteracy rate among adults has dropped to below 15 percent.

"In primary schools, high schools and colleges, class instructions are given in both Tibetan and Chinese," he said.

Changngopa Tseyang says social development in the new era has injected new vitality into the Tibetan language.

"A few people with ulterior motives have said around the world that the Chinese government has caused the Tibetan language to lose its vitality and Tibetan culture to become extinct. Such remarks are totally groundless," he said.

The forum, which runs until October 19, has drawn some 120 scholars, experts and celebrities from around the world. It will be held in Beijing on Tuesday and Wednesday before moving to Tibet.

Editor: Wing