The stated aims of the proposed development of the western regions are to improve infrastructure, strengthen environmental protection and develop science, technology and education.
Widespread poverty means that appropriate development in China's western regions is urgently needed.
Yet there is a clear political agenda underlying this campaign - the need to maintain stability. I am particularly happy that Tibetans throughout the world are increasingly taking to the power of information to spread the word about Tibet and provide information on Tibet's rich cultural heritage. I have always believed that as more unbiased information is made available to the international community, it will become more supportive of the Tibetan cause and will make concerted and sustained efforts to end the suffering of the Tibetan people in Tibet. I am especially happy that the TibetNet site is accessible in Chinese. Ever since China opened to the outside world and started sending young Chinese scholars and intellectuals abroad for further studies, we have made an extra effort to reach out to them in the hope that they would be able to hear the Tibetan side of the story, which was denied to them in China.