"Some journalists come to Tibetan areas only focusing on the anti-government sentiment by a few people. These journalists do not report the mainstream," Zhang said.

Purbu said the Lhasa riot last March, in which 18 civilians and a police officer were killed, gave the people a lesson that their well-being could only be protected when the region enjoys stability.

He hailed President Hu Jintao's remarks on stability in Tibet, which was given Monday, prior to the 50th anniversary of the foiling of an armed rebellion on March 10, 1959 staged by the upper ruling class in Tibet to preserve serfdom and theocracy.

"We must reinforce the solid Great Wall for combating separatism and safeguarding national unity, so that Tibet, now basically stable, will enjoy lasting peace and stability," said Hu.

Tibet will mark the 50th anniversary of the abolishment of serfdom and the theocratic regime of the Dalai Lama on March 28.

The March 10 rebellion 50 years ago prompted the central government's decision that a democratic reform should be carried out immediately to demolish the entire old system led by the Dalai Lama.

The Preparatory Committee of Tibet Autonomous Region replaced the Gaxag government and set out to lead the reform.

From 1959 to until 1966, 1 million slaves were granted land, houses and their freedom.

(Xinhua News Agency March 10, 2009)