Dalai Lama optimistic on China granting autonomy to Tibet

Buddhist leader the Dalai Lama today said he was optimistic about China giving autonomy to Tibet, given its new economic status and better Sino-US relations.

"I am optimistic," the Tibetan spiritual leader said here when asked about the chances of China giving autonomy to Tibet.

After Jiang Zemin took over the reins of Communist China, the money has become more important than the ideology, he said.

"Since Zemin came to power, there has been a big change in China; now money is very important. Therefore, I am optimistic," he said.

Asked about the possibility of China granting autonomy when a filmmaker there was arrested for making a documentary on the ground situation in Tibet, he said, "Basically, I think things are changing."

He said, "People of China have the right to know the reality. So, there should be transparency."

Earlier, the Dalai Lama gave away the Ladies Study Group Charitable Trust Annual Award to Disha Foundation, which runs schools and vocational trainings for underprivileged children.