WASHINGTON, March 17 (Xinhua) -- A delegation of China's Tibetan legislators on Thursday concluded its visit to U.S. capital Washington D.C. after meeting with Congressional counterparts to boost ties between the two countries and dispel misunderstandings about the situation in China's Tibet Autonomous Region.
Qiangba Puncog, deputy to the Chinese National People's Congress (NPC), led an NPC delegation to the U.S. Capitol, and met with Representative Eni Faleomavaega, vice chair of Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus, and Representatives Rick Larsen and Charles Boustany, co-chairs of the bipartisan U.S.-China Working Group in the House of Representatives. The meeting took place Wednesday.
Qiangba Puncog, who also serves as chairman of the Standing Committee of Tibet Autonomous Regional People's Congress, updated the Congressmen about the fundamental changes and rapid development in the 60 years since Tibet's peaceful liberation, and dispelled fallacies of the Dalai Lama clique.
He noted the Dalai Lama has spread lies about the situation in Tibet, and has misled some people in the West. He voiced the hope that those people can visit Tibet and see for themselves the tremendous advancement of the region.
He also voiced the hope that the U.S. side will honor the commitment that Tibet is an indivisible part of China, oppose the notion of "Tibet Independence," and show ample understanding of and respect to China's position.
Apart from the Congressmen, the delegation also met with Congressional staff, Congressional researchers and State Department officials.
During the meetings, U.S. Congressmen and officials welcomed the delegation, and stressed the importance of U.S.-China relations, saying Washington welcomes a strong, prosperous and successful China. They noted the position the U.S. side takes on the Tibet issue is consistent and clear, and the two sides should enhance communication to better mutual understanding and further bilateral relations.
The delegation has visited San Francisco before they came to the U.S. capital. They will also visit Chicago.