Special report: Tibet: Its Past and Present

    BEIJING, April 25 (Xinhua) -- China's central government department will meet with Dalai's private representative in the coming days, Xinhua learned from official sources on Friday.

    "In view of the requests repeatedly made by the Dalai side for resuming talks, the relevant department of the central government will have contact and consultation with Dalai's private representative in the coming days," an official said.

    "The policy of the central government towards Dalai has been consistent and the door of dialogue has remained open," he said.

    "It is hoped that through contact and consultation, the Dalai side will take credible moves to stop activities aimed at splitting China, stop plotting and inciting violence and stop disrupting and sabotaging the Beijing Olympic Games so as to create conditions for talks."

What's the matter with Tibet?

    BEIJING, April 24 (xinhua) -- Canadian writer Lisa Carducci wrote an article entitled "What's the matter with Tibet?" for China Daily, a Beijing-based English newspaper, explaining why people outside China usually have a prejudice against Tibet. Here is the full text of the article, which was published on April 22.

    It is one thing to be interested in Tibet, as most of my acquaintances are. It is another to have totally prejudiced views, which unfortunately is the case with most of them. Full story

Tibet to receive first tour group since March 14 unrest

    LHASA, April 24 (Xinhua) -- Tibet received its first domestic tour group since the March 14 unrest on Thursday evening, another sign the region was returning to normal.

    The 15-member tour group from the eastern city of Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, arrived at the Lhasa Railway Station at about 9:50 p.m.. Each was presented with a hada -- a long white silk scarf used as a greeting gift in Tibet -- by staff from the travel agency. Full story

China publishes bilingual book on Tibet's past, today

    BEIJING, April 22 (Xinhua) -- An illustrated book has been published in China aiming to inform readers, especially those overseas, of the past and present lives of Tibetans.

    "Tibet: Past and Today," was published in both Chinese and English for readers' reference, SDX Joint Publishing Company said here on Tuesday. Full story