Were there no comparison, witness or researches, it would be hard for people to understand how powerful the changes were in Tibet over the past half a century. But for Michael Henss, who has been bending himself to the study of Tibetan culture for some 20 years, contrasting images showing the differences take shape easily in his mind.

As an archeologist and historian, Michael Henss has made 24 tours to Tibet since 1980 for field investigations in major Tibetan monasteries and cultural relics. He pointed out some western media, for political purpose or something else, always have critical and negative reports on Tibet. He said that western meida have neglected the fact that Tibet is becoming better than ever and even Dalai Lama could not deny it.

Michael Henns [Photo by Mirenda Wu/China Tibet Online]

Social Changes

In 1980 when China just opened its door to the world, Michael Henss made his first visit to Tibet together with other two friends. Because of high elevation and poor transportation, that trip was not that easy and comfortable.

Michael Henss recalled that it was a hard thing to travel from the Lhasa airport to the downtown area 26 years ago, not to speak of the basic urban infrastructure. He had to share one room with other two friends in a small hotel.

He paid his last visit to Tibet in 2006, three months after running of the Qinghai-Tibet Railway.

"That was really a wonderful trip. Things changed greatly comparing with that some 20 years ago."

"We see the changes more from the outside not from the inside. And of course, things there, like people's living condition, has been improved greatly."

Tibetan people in northern Tibet are celebreating Tibetan Losar (Tibetan New Year) with tourists. [Photo/Xinhua]

Great efforts have been endeavored over the past 50 years to make Tibet a better society.

Michael Henss said the changes owed to the help of the Chinese government.

In March, 1980, the 1st National Conference on Work in Tibet was held. The central authorities decided at the meeting to bring all active factors into full play to help build a new Tibet, especially in the improvement of people's living conditions.

As a result, the fixed subsidy from the central government increased to 496 million yuan per year.

Besides, between 2006 and 2010, China has invested a total of 1.378 billion yuan to start 188 livelihood improvement projects, including education, medical system, social insurance program and tourism.

A old Tibetan woman in paying homage to the Buddha. [Photo by Mirenda Wu/China Tibet Online] 

Religious Prosperity

Michael Henss, who is about to publish a new book titled "The Cultural Monuments of Tibet" in 2013 based on his 24 visits to Tibet, is glad to see many major or once been neglected monasteries are now under good protection and inheritance with proper renovations since 1980s.

He said:"I have a feeling that much traditional Tibetan culture and practices have survived.Tibetan monks and ordinary Buddhists can carry out religious ceremony without any problem."

"There is no harm and no problem with Tibetan religion," said the old man.

A grand Buddha Painting Unfolding Ceremony in Tibet. [Photo/China Tibet Online]

He also pointed out Tibetan people were very glad with the material improvement, but material life is only a secondary thing for them. What are more important is the spiritual life, so they give a lot of money to the monasteries and do something good for the next life.

"Now the situation there is definitely getting better. Even the Dalai Lama couldn't deny it. We have to accept that it is no doubt with the help from the government."

"Tibet needs changes. It is no more the one under feudal serfdom system before 1959."

The housing project in Nagri Prefecture, western Tibet.[Photo/China Tibet Online]

Biased Western Reports

Moreover, Michael Henss thought some western media were sometimes very critical toward China's policies on Tibet, trying to discover its negative points.

Taking Tibetan nomads'settlement program for example, some western media said that China attempted to change Tibetan nomads' lifestyle to make it a copy of other Chinese cities, which provoked grumbles among Tibetan nomads.

Michael Henss pointed out, however, this is not the case.

The housing project in Nagri Prefecture, western Tibet.[Photo/China Tibet Online]

"I know from my friend who is making researches among Tibetan nomads in Qinghai Province that Tibetans are happy about it. They see the improvements in many aspects, so all the nomads are appreciating it," said Michael Henss.

He emphasized that people always tried to conserve the tradition and local lifestyle, but no one can stop the times.