China Defends Its Religious Liberty Record In Tibet

The Information Office of China's State Council yesterday published a White Paper titled: Sixty Years Since the Peaceful Liberation of Tibet.  A section of the White Paper defends China's polices on religious freedom in Tibet.  It says in part:

Freedom of religious belief of all ethnic groups is respected and protected in Tibet. All religions, all religious sects are equal in Tibet. The Living Buddha reincarnation system, unique to Tibetan Buddhism, is fully respected. People are free to learn and debate Buddhist doctrines, get ordained as monks and practice Buddhist rites. Academic degrees in Buddhism are also promoted. The central government has listed some famous sites for religious activities as cultural relics units subject to state or autonomous regional protection, including the Potala Palace, Jokhang Monastery, and Tashilhunpo, Drepung, Sera and Sakya monasteries. Tibet now has more than 1,700 venues for religious activities and about 46,000 monks and nuns. Monks and laymen organize and take part in the Sakadawa Festival and other religious and traditional activities every year. More than 1 million worshipers make pilgrimage to Lhasa each year.

(See prior related posting.)