Letter of Congratulation from Raidi,
Chairman of the Standing Committee of the Tibet Autonomous Region People's Congress

On behalf of the Standing Committee of the Tibet Autonomous Region People's Congress, I hereby, in my personal name, would like to express my most sincere greetings for the success of China Tibet Culture Week, and my warmest salute to all who have partaken in the work.

Tibetan culture, an organic part of culture of the whole China, possesses clear ethnic characteristics and historic details, Tibetan culture is the crystallization of the hard work and wisdom of Tibet's different nationalities, and the treasure of China's culture as well. Although Belgium and Canada are parted from China by thousands of ranges and waters, but their future prospect with China is very wide and extensive. This spring, owing to invitations, I, leading a team, had a chance to visit the European Parliament and the Kingdom of Belgium, wherefore by the lengthy history of Europe and her splendid culture a wonderful impression is marked in my mind. As it is well proved by historical facts and the growth of the culture of the people of the world, the development of any culture is fully depended upon exchanges and inter-relations of culture ties. In China Tibet's present culture, a great progress is commonly recognized the world over concerning the up-keep of heritage of the splendid traditional culture and the growth of the new Socialist culture.

As far as chairman of the Standing Committee of the Tibet Autonomous Region People's Congress is concerned, the culture of one's native land being promoted into the world, thus be engaged into culture exchanges, indeed is a great thing to see. There's a saying in China:" Any thing that belongs to a nationality also belongs to the world." I believe by this presentation of China Tibet Culture Week, people of Belgium and Canada will have an overall understanding over China Tibet's cultural aspect, history, present situation, fold customs, thus the understanding and friendship between China's Tibetan nationality and the people of the world will be strengthened.

Wish you a success for the presentation of China Tibet Culture Week!

Raidi
3 Sept. 2002