The major development concepts of innovation, coordination, green, openness and sharing are five strategic development ideas for China in the future and also guideline to push forward development in all Tibetan-inhabited areas in China. I am going to share some of my viewpoints on how to coordinate and boost the modernization transformation of traditional Tibetan culture.

I. Participation in modernization process is an inevitable demand to inherit and develop traditional Tibetan culture

We can understand the concept modernization from the aspect of development phase. At present, China is at a crucial period of building a comprehensive well-off society, and also at a historical phase of marching towards basic realization of modernization. As an organic component of Chinese culture, traditional Tibetan culture can not be separated from China‘s whole modernization process.

Firstly, it is a historical inevitability to participate in the modernization transformation process. History proves that only those cultures that advance with the times and adjust itself can survive. For example, Confucianism, which could be traced back to slave society in ancient China, became main culture in the feudal society after being transformed by scholars including Confucius (551 BC--479 BC) and Dong Zhongshu (179 BC--104 BC). Nowadays, Confucianism still actively adjusts itself and makes efforts to adapt to socialist society. Moreover, in the western world, Christianity, also originated from slave society, witnessed several major religious reforms at the phases of feudal society and capitalist society respectively. Other survived civilizations in today‘s world share similar patterns of self-adjustment to comply with changes of the era. Dated back to serf society, traditional Tibetan culture is a cultural organism characterized by religious culture with Tibetan culture (represented by culture in TAR and other Tibetan-inhabited areas) at its core. Since 1949, there have been social reforms in Tibet-inhabited areas and the social stages which traditional Tibetan culture depends on and have changed accordingly. Inevitably, traditional Tibetan culture requires modernization adjustments.

Secondly, it is an objective necessity to participate in the modernization transformation process. With the rapid development on the level of productive forces in modern society, especially increased convenience in transportation, communication, and health care, traditional Tibetan culture witnesses fundamental changes in its material basis as well as its formation basis. In the meantime, with increased cultural and educational level, Tibetan youths are under greater influences from modern secular culture. Therefore, some concepts in traditional Tibetan culture have to make self-adjustments, get rid of the stale and take in the fresh so as to serve real life. Otherwise, traditional Tibetan culture will be at a position of being wed out in history.

Thirdly, it is an intrinsic necessity to participate in the modernization transformation process. Historically, Tibetan culture is good at taking in advanced culture. However, it will not make an overall absorption to foreign culture. Its absorption pattern is usually manifested by the mode of  "be affected--conflicts--communication and combination". The formation of Tibetan Buddhism can best reflect this feature. Originally, Bon was the ruling religion of Tibet. Then, Buddhism, which was a more advanced religion then, was introduced to Tibet Plato. Long-term conflict and integration between both Bon and Buddhism give birth to Tibetan Buddhism with its unique charms. The formation of Tibetan Buddhism is a good example of successful transformation of traditional culture. Therefore, the intrinsic basis of our efforts to push forward modernization transformation are in fact the culture genes of traditional Tibetan culture.

II. It is important and significant to carry forward the modernization process of traditional Tibetan culture has importance significance.

Firstly, it shows practical significance in terms of implementing the central government's general plan of governing and managing Tibeta as well as border areas. Being at the connecting piece of the Silk Road, also known as Eurasian Economic artery, Tibetan-inhabited areas have had important influences over Hexi Corridor, Central Asia and South Asia and have been primary areas for China‘s border governance work since ancient times. Beginning from the 20th century until today, Tibetan Buddhism has attracted more and more attention from people all over the world including people from Europe, America and Southeast Asia. In a word, a coordinated growth of the modernization process of traditional Tibetan culture in Tibetan-inhabited areas is directly related to real effect of the central government‘s Tibet governance and also serves an important indicator to measure the results of the central government‘s Tibet governance.

Secondly, it shows an important exploratory approach to deepen national ethnic cultural work. China is a multinational country with fifty-six nationalities and thus ethnic culture management has comprehensive meanings. Originated on the snow-covered plateau, Tibetan civilization has its unique content due to its special environment. Compared with other nationalities of higher fusion degree, traditional Tibetan culture is characterized by its system independence, factor integrity, and culture typicality. Therefore, within China‘s national culture framework, traditional Tibetan culture possesses extremely high value of culture specimen. As a result, deepened efforts in modernization transformation work of traditional Tibetan culture would give precious experience to the upgrade and development of other ethnic cultures.

Thirdly, it shows practical significance to inherit and flourish traditional Tibetan culture. Abandoning inappropriate parts in traditional Tibetan culture and promote its excellent parts are key factors to ensure lasting prosperity of Tibetan cultural heritage through ways of modernization transformation. Therefore, exploration work in the modernization transformation of traditional Tibetan culture not only has crucial meaning for survival and development of Tibetan ethnic group, but also a major way to enrich and develop Chinese culture.

III. The modernization transformation of traditional Tibetan culture is equipped with essential conditions.

Since 1949, our central government has always payed high attention to management work in Tibetan-inhabited areas including its cultural transformation and people in all walks of life have carried out a series of fruitful explorations. It is safe to say that the current situation of the modernization transformation for traditional Tibetan culture in Tibetan-inhabited areas is at the best stage, the best track and the best starting point.

Firstly, a consensus is reached on the issue of whether to transform. Whether to transform is a direction issue. At present, both the central government and people in all sections of society realize that efforts must be made to speed up transformation process of traditional Tibetan culture in order to adapt to the historical trend of socialist society. In the transformation process, however, there are different voices in some aspects and even some inevitable setbacks during the transformation period. Anyway, regarding the issue of whether to transform, we believe that the decision to transform would lead to continued prosperity while refusing to transform would lead to isolation and elimination by history. Therefore, our resolution to transform is firm and clear-cut.

Secondly, fruitful results have been made in the transformation process. Since 1949, a large amount of foundation work in promoting transformation development of traditional Tibetan culture has been laid to achieve long-term interests. For example, a large number of culture heritages are organized, saved and protected and a series of valuable literature including the Tibetan Tripitaka are published. Moreover, a national system on Tibetan studies and related research institutes with international influence are formed and a full-set echelon of scholars on Tibetan studies are built basically. These achievements lay a firm foundation for the modernization transformation of Tibetan culture.

Finally, valuable experience has been gained in the issue of how to transform. There has been considerable progress in cultural transformation in Tibetan-inhabited areas since 1949. According to a White Paper named Development of Tibetan Culture released by the State Council, development in spiritual and cultural fields of Tibet is objectively illustrated from seven aspects including learning, using and development of Tibetan language, preservation and utilization of cultural relics and classics, customs and religious belief. These experiences carry methodological significance for our future work. Particularly, breakthroughs in the aspects of improving education methods, monastery-related management ways and government management ways serve as valuable experiences for the modernization transformation work of traditional Tibetan culture.

IV. Three suggestions to coordinate and boost modernization transformation of traditional Tibetan culture.

Besides all the achievements we made, we have to admit the fact that discordance still exists in some fields or parts of our work. In order to do a better job, my suggestions are to stick to three principles, that is Push Forward, Take Initiative and Make Interaction.

Push Forward. To push forward means that the government should vigorously push forward the modernization transformation work for traditional Tibetan culture. The major mission of transformation is to adjust traditional Tibetan culture and make it comply with socialist society by stimulating positive factors in traditional culture and getting rid of negative factors. In the adjustment process, some sensitive issues are touched and controversies and pains happen in some circumstances. Under these circumstances, the government should take the lead instead of being absent. As a matter of fact, strong impulse of the government would provide vital guarantee for the coordination and transformation of traditional Tibetan culture.

Take Initiative. To take initiative means Tibetan people should take initiative in the modernization transformation process. That is to say, Tibetans should actively connect excellent elements of its own culture with the social economic system in modern society. From the viewpoint of structural reform of the supply front, cultural elements in traditional Tibetan culture have distinct uniqueness and obvious comparative advantages. To actively and accurately combine Tibetan culture with the modern social system, to unite traditional cultural elements with new productivity methods, and to flourish Tibetan civilization and benefit the world at the same time are inevitable courses for the coordination and transformation of traditional Tibetan culture.

Make Interaction. To make interaction means that in the process of contacting and participating the modernization transformation of ethnic culture, related nationalities and classes should make positive interactions. During the modernization transformation process of ethnic culture, cultural exchanges are inevitable and culture gaps exist. To coordinate and handle these culture gaps well would guarantee positive results of cultural exchange, cultural dialogue and cultural transformation. All sectors of society should have full mental preparations, the intellectual circle should follow up and give in-time guidance and make common and coordinated efforts to push forward this cause. An external environment of mutual tolerance, mutual understanding and mutual respect is a necessity for a coordinated transformation of traditional Tibetan culture.

The relationship between traditional Tibetan culture and modern culture construction has attracted more and more attention for a long time. It is a bless for Tibetan culture, for Chinese civilization and also for civilizations all over the world.

( Prof. Dr. Zheng Dui, Deputy Director-General ,China Tibetology Research Center)