Tibet is paradise on earth: China tells Dalai Lama

Beijing: China on Wednesday reacted strongly to the Dalai Lama's accusation that it had created "hell on earth" in Tibet, saying his comments were childish and that the Himalayan plateau had become "paradise on earth", but remained silent on his call for greater autonomy.

Leaving Tibet in 1959 was the right decision: Dalai Lama

Apparently stung by the remarks, China ran a number of commentaries in official Xinhua news agency accusing the spiritual leader of being "childish."

A commentary said if the Dalai Lama really wanted to do something beneficial for his fellow Tibetans, "he should stop lying, abandon his separatism mentality and show some sincerity in settling the Tibet issue properly."

"This (Tibet) hell on earth is precisely paradise on earth for the ordinary Tibetans. Under no circumstances would these people allow the Dalai Lama to restore the old social strata in their homeland, under the name of the middle way or meaningful autonomy," another strongly-worded commentary said.

Exclusive: 50 years in exile

These comments come a day after Tibet observed the 50th anniversary of a failed uprising in 1959, which led the Dalai Lama and his supporters to seek refuge in India.

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