Tibet delegates find success in Canada
A delegation of the National People’s Congress from China’s Tibet autonomous region concluded a four-day visit to Canada on Wednesday.
The lawmakers visited Toronto and Ottawa, where they exchanged ideas with a variety of people. The group was led by Pema Wangdu, deputy to the People’s Congress of the autonomous region and member of the Tibetan regional Party standing committee of the Communist Party of China.
Pema Wangdu, who is also the secretary of the CPC Lhasa Municipal Party Committee, gave a presentation on Tibet’s economic and social development and answered questions from Canadians.
In Ottawa, the delegation met with the Canada-China Legislative Association and the foreign and international development committee of the House of Commons. In Toronto, the delegation met with the head of the department of international relations of Ontario province.
Pema Wangdu said China and Canada enjoy a good momentum of development in their relations and they share a wide range of common interests and opportunities for cooperation.
He said China is willing to work with Canada to earnestly implement the important consensus between the leaders of the two countries, deepen exchanges and cooperation in various fields, properly handle differences and sensitive issues, and promote the sustained and stable development of the strategic partnership between China and Canada so as to better benefit the two peoples.
He added that the Tibet autonomous region is willing to continue to actively support and participate in friendly exchanges between the two countries.
Pema Wangdu spoke of the historic changes that have taken place in Tibet since the implementation of the system of regional ethnic autonomy and the historic achievements in Tibet’s economic and social development over the past 40 years of reform and openingup, especially since the 18th CPC National Congress.
Under the guidance of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, he said, Tibetans are working with the rest of the Chinese to move toward the grand goal of building a moderately prosperous society in all respects and to strive for the realization of the “Two Centenary Goals.”
“Canadian friends are welcome to visit Tibet, take a look at the new socialist Tibet today, listen to the true thoughts of the Tibetan people and enhance understanding of the reality of Tibet,” he said.
Canadian officials said they consider developing relations with China important, and the Canada-China Legislative Association will continue to work to promote the development of friendly and cooperative relations between the two countries.
Ontario is willing to strengthen cooperation with China in economy and trade, science and technology and tourism, officials said. Canada is impressed by Tibet’s achievements in various fields in recent years and is willing to maintain candid exchanges with China to enhance mutual understanding, they said.
During the visit, the delegation also met ethnic Tibetans living in Ottawa and Toronto, experts and scholars from Carleton University and the Canadian Institute of Foreign Affairs.