Thursday, March 10 2005 12:24 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Dharamshala: Convinced that remaining within China was best for the progress of Tibetans, their spiritual leader the Dalai Lama today (Mar 10, 2005) said that he was hopeful that eventually the two sides would develop "necessary trust" and resolve the Tibet issue to "our mutual benefit".

In a statement on the 46th anniversary of the Tibetan People's Uprising, he said, "I want to reassure the Chinese authorities that as long as I am responsible for the affairs of Tibet, we remain fully committed to the middle way approach of not seeking independence for Tibet and are willing to remain within the People's Republic of China.

"I am convinced that in the long run such an approach is of benefit to the Tibetan people for their material progress," he said.

The Dalai Lama along with thousands of Tibetans has been living in exile in India for the last 45 years after China annexed their country.

Expressing happiness about renewed contacts with the Chinese leadership and the outcome of the third round of meetings last September, the Dalai Lama said, "We remain hopeful that eventually we will be able to develop the necessary trust and resolve this long-standing issue to our mutual benefit."

The Dalai Lama said that he had stated over a decade ago that when Tibetans return to their land "with a certain degree of freedom", he would not hold any office or political position and the present Tibetan administration in exile in Dharamshala would be dissolved.