The Dalai Lama said Sunday that Tibet's interest is to remain a part of China; but he insisted that Tibetans should be permitted to preserve their culture and protect their environment. "But we are seeking political freedom to preserve our culture and environment and are opposed to cultural genocide being promoted by China due to increasing influx of the Han people and spread of Chinese language in Tibet."
The Dalai Lama has been seeking greater autonomy for the Himalayan region within China, which he fled in 1959 and set up a government-in-exile in northern India.