They made the appeal prior to the coming of the 50th anniversary of the peaceful liberation of Tibet, which falls on May 23.

The local officials pointed out, "stability is what all the Tibetan people hope for and it is a prerequisite of Tibet's development."

Raidi, chairman of the Standing Committee of the Tibet Autonomous Regional People's Congress, said that Tibet is in its best period of development, which is highlighted by social progress, economic development and unity among ethnic groups.

Analysts said that judging from history, Tibet's economic development is closely linked with the stability of the region. They said, due to the jeopardizing activities of the Dalai Lama clique and anti-China forces in the West, Tibet lost two development chances in the 1950s and 1980s. As a result, Tibet lags farther behind other provinces and regions of China.

Starting from the 1990s, Tibet has attached great importance to economic development and stability, and has vigorously fought a battle against separatists, achieving the most stable period in its political situation and the period of fastest economic development.

Statistics show that over the past six years, the region's economic growth rate was 12.9 percent on yearly basis, which is higher than the national level.

Raidi pointed out, stability accords with the interests of the people. "Tibetan people do not want to go backwards, and we can not vacillate."

Lobsang, who is in charge of Lhasa's Xuejue Neighborhood Committee and has been engaged in neighborhood affairs since 1959, said that the ordinary people are longing for living and working in peace and contentment, and they do not want chaos.

"Only very few people with ulterior motives desire to stir up trouble, and they do not want to see that the new Tibet is prosperous in the embrace of the motherland."

Mingya, a forest keeper in fifties, said that "Judging from my own life experience, the whole nation and Tibet can flourish and prosper only if a harmonious and stable situation is maintained."

Zomlob Qanbakaizhub, who is charge of management at the Qambalin Monastery, said that religious affairs have close relations with stability.

He stressed, at present, efforts should be made to manage religious affairs according to law while paying respect to freedom of religious beliefs.

Educating monks and nuns with patriotism and law should be strengthened so as to lay a solid foundation for long-term stability, he noted.

Guo Jinlong, secretary of the Tibet Autonomous Regional Committee of the Chinese Communist Party (CPC), said that Tibet will continue its efforts to maintain the stability, adding that the related policies to this end will remain unchanged.

Guo said, under the correct leadership of the CPC, Tibet is sure to achieve its development targets in the new century by sticking to the policies which stress stability and economic growth.

"I am confident that people of all ethnic groups in Tibet will lead happier lives in the coming years, he said.

(People's Daily 05/21/2001)