Members from a Chinese Tibetan cultural exchange delegation hold talks with journalists from both China and Japan at the Chinese Embassy in Japan on August 21, 2017. [Photo: people.com.cn] 

A Chinese Tibetan cultural exchange delegation visited Mongolia, Russia and Japan in succession recently, during which it briefed the local people about the latest development of China's Tibet Autonomous Region.

The delegation, dispatched by China's State Council Information Office, consisted of Tibetologists, traditional Tibetan medicine specialists, Tibetan officials, and a living Buddha.

During the visits, the delegation was warmly received by local lawmakers, experts and scholars, reporters from major media organizations, university professors and students, overseas Chinese, local residents as well as religious groups.

While exchanging views with local people, the delegation introduced the great achievements that Tibet has witnessed in recent years and demonstrated the vitality of traditional Tibetan culture which is an important part of Chinese culture, through seminars, interviews, visits to local temples and free medical service, among others.

The delegation also answered questions concerning various aspects of Tibet, including economic and social development, improvement of people's livelihood, Tibet's role in the framework of the Belt and Road Initiative, protection of traditional Tibetan culture, the reincarnation system of living Buddhas, as well as environmental protection and tourism in Tibet.

Toshiko Takeya, a Japanese lawmaker, said that she felt closer to China's Tibet after interactions with the delegation.

Zhou Wei, head of the delegation and chief of the Institute for Religious Studies of China Tibetology Research Center, said that there are many Buddhists, especially Tibetan Buddhism believers in Mongolia, Russia and Japan.

He said that the people whom the delegation met with in the three countries all showed great interests in Tibet and Tibetan culture.

Many of them expressed the wish to come to China to have exchanges on Tibetology and Tibetan medicine as well as to visit Tibet for learning Tibetan Buddhism, going on a pilgrimage or travelling, said Zhou, adding they also welcomed more Chinese delegations to visit and exchange views on Tibet and Tibetan culture.

The delegation visited Mongolia from Aug. 14 to 15, Russia from Aug. 16 to 19, and concluded its visit to Japan on Aug. 23.