Tibetan PM in-exile rejects China's claims, says no change in situation in Tibet

Tibetan Prime Minister in-exile Lobsang Sangay has rejected China's claims that it was making efforts to develop the restive Tibet.

His comments came days after Beijing invited foreign delegates and news media to a state-sponsored tour in Tibet for a development forum.

"Not much positive change. You know, I mean, generally we (have) been saying internationally. Chinese foreign policies have been both nationalistic and assertive. Domestically all over China, they have been more aggressive and situation in Tibet has not been changed," Sangay said after chairing a meeting of the Tibetan Task Force.

Exiled Tibetans and rights groups say China, which took control of Tibet in 1950, has tried to stamp out religious freedom and culture in the Himalayan region. China rejects the criticism, saying its rule has ended serfdom and brought development.

China has ruled Tibet with an iron fist since 1950, when Communist troops marched in and took control in what Beijing calls a "peaceful liberation".