BEIJING, March 6 (Xinhua) -- Tibet is an inalienable part of the
Chinese territory since ancient times, said Qiangba Puncog, chairman
of Tibet Autonomous Region, on Thursday.

"The overseas sayings of 'Tibet independence' are groundless nonsense
and secessionist activities are doomed to fail," said Qiangba Puncog,
a deputy to the 11th National People's Congress, the top legislature.

In regard to western criticism on human rights in Tibet, he expressed
his invitation to the critics. "Seeing is believing. They should go to
Tibet themselves to feel the improvements."

"They will reach a right conclusion then if they respect facts," said
the chairman.

Accounting for one eighth of China's territory, the southwestern
autonomous region saw its gross domestic product (GDP) topping 34
billion yuan (about 4.8 billion U.S. dollars) in 2007.

The per capita GDP, more than 12,000 yuan (1,690 U.S. dollars),almost
doubled the figure in 2002.