China's Tibetan legislators wrap up visit to US

HOUSTON - A delegation of China's Tibetan legislators concluded its visit to the United States on Saturday after meeting with Congressional members and local dignitaries to boost ties between the two countries and remove misunderstandings about China's Tibet.

Shingtsa Tenzinchodrak, deputy to the Chinese National People's Congress (NPC), headed the NPC delegation to San Francisco and Houston from April 7 to April 11, and met with U.S. Representatives David Valadao, Mike Honda and Sheila Jackson Lee.

Tenzinchodrak, who also serves as vice-chairman of the Standing Committee of the People's Congress of Tibet Autonomous Region, updated his U.S. counterparts on the tremendous changes that have taken place in the past 50 years since the creation of Tibet Autonomous Region in 1965.

Tibet has achieved economic prosperity and social progress thanks to the help from the central government and the Chinese people of other ethnic groups, Tenzinchodrak said.

He later told a crowd of audience at a seminar in Houston his personal story to show how average Tibetans benefited from the country's healthcare, education and employment programs.

The Tibetan delegation also dispelled fallacies of the Dalai Lama clique, reiterating that Tibet has been historically part of Chinese territory.

During the meetings, U.S. Representatives and officials welcomed the delegation, and appreciated their efforts in presenting a real and comprehensive picture of Tibet.

They voiced belief that the Tibetans' U.S. tour will deepen the U.S. mainstream society's understanding of Tibet and promote friendships between the two peoples.