A visiting delegation of Chinese Tibetologists gave an account of social and economic developments in Tibet here Monday.

Speaking at a press conference here, Zhu Xiaoming, the head of the delegation, said Tibet has experienced tremendous changes over the past 50 years to become one of the most attractive places in the world.

Today, Tibet not only has unique natural scenery but also boasts well-preserved ethnic culture, Zhu said.

"All this was made possible thanks to the joint efforts of the Chinese government and the Tibetan people," he said.

On the negotiations between the Chinese central government and the Dalai Lama's representatives, Zhu said progress had been made in the talks and there was no need to be pessimistic about their prospects.

Chinese central government officials and the Dalai Lama's private envoys have held three rounds of talks this year and nine rounds since 2002.

The door for the Dalai Lama's return to a patriotic stance is always open, but the door to "Tibet independence," "half independence" or "independence in a disguised form" has never been open, nor would it be open in the future, Zhu said.

The Chinese government has clearly pointed out that if the Dalai Lama gives up his separatist stance and activities to split the motherland, the two sides could continue contacts and negotiations on his personal future, said Zhu.

Speaking about how the Chinese government has improved the living conditions of Tibetans, Zhu said the central government has poured 170 billion yuan (about 25 billion U.S. dollars) into improving the Tibetan people's life over the past decades.

The central government has also adopted other preferential policies to make sure Tibet can develop together with other regions of China, Zhu said.