Yu Zhengsheng (front), chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, delivers a speech at a ceremony to celebrate the 50th founding anniversary of the Tibet Autonomous Region, in Lhasa, capital of the region in southwest China, Sept. 8, 2015. (Photo: Xinhua/Li Tao)
China's resolve to end separatism stresses adherence to the law in managing Tibet's religious affairs while celebrating the 50th anniversary of the founding of Tibet Autonomous Region on Tuesday.[Special coverage]
"Tibet has achieved sustained stability after people of all ethnic groups steadfastly fought separatism, foiling the sabotage attempts of the 14th Dalai Lama clique and hostile international forces," top political advisor Yu Zhengsheng told a rally of senior officials and thousands of Tibetan people gathered at a celebration in front of the Potala Palace.
Border areas must be well managed to successfully govern the country, he stressed.
Stability in Tibet relies on the management of these areas, said Yu, chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference.
Tibet is important in safeguarding national security, and it is in the interests of all the people of Tibet to maintain national unity and ethnic solidarity, he noted.
He vowed to "intensify the fight against separatism" and oppose all kinds of separatist activities.
One day before the celebration, Yu urged army, police and judicial staff in Tibet to be ready to fight a protracted battle against the 14th Dalai clique. Yu urged them to improve the "governing Tibet according to law", specifically dealing with separatist forces according to law.
"On one side, Chinese authorities are warning the 14th Dalai Lama to stop separatist activities, and on the other they are urging him at his advanced age to make a choice that is good for the nation and the people," said Wang Chunhuan, head of the Marxism-Leninism Research Institute of the Tibetan Academy of Social Sciences.
If a group stands opposed to the nation and people, the central authorities are resolved to fight a long battle against it, said Wang.
Yu, also a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, asked authorities to "stick to the rule of law," a strategic thinking championed by central authorities since late 2014.
