Tibetologist: hidden motives behind "ethnic conflict" claim of Lhasa riot

Source: Xinhua | 04-02-2008 13:47

BEIJING, April 2 (Xinhua) -- The March 14 riot in Lhasa was no ethnic conflict, and some people who would so label the incident might harbor ulterior motives, a Tibetologist said Wednesday morning.

Lian Xiangmin, a researcher with the Beijing-based China Tibetology Research Center (CTRC), said the riot was no ethnic issue, but a political one, as the mob attacked not only ethnic Hui and Han people, but also Tibetans.

"I've noticed residents of various ethnic groups in Lhasa, including Tibetans, have all condemned the violence. In our research center, Tibetan scholars are also very indignant over the riot," Lian, director of the Research Projects Office of the CTRC, told a press conference.

"So this is by no means an ethnic issue or ethnic conflict," he said.

As for those who called the riot an ethnic issue or so-called Han-Tibetan conflict, Lian said, "some of them did so because of lack of understanding of the situation, while others might harbor ulterior motives."

"People from all ethnic groups should keep alert to such motives," Lian said. "The Tibetan people, like the other 55 ethnic groups in China, also wish to see political stability, economic progress and improvement of people's livelihood in the country."

Editor:Zhang Ning