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A senior official with the European Parliament said that tourism should be given priority in boosting the economic development of China's Tibet Autonomous Region.

Plooij-Van Gorsel, head of the European Parliament delegation for ties with the People's Republic of China, said during a recent tour in Tibet that the region should open wider so that more foreigners will come for sight-seeing.

In Tibet, religion and culture hold important status, but economic expansion is very important, too. In comparison with other areas in China, Tibet is still undeveloped, she said.

Although the visiting time was limited and they only had time to visit Lhasa and Xigaze, they found something really interesting in Tibet, she said, adding that they were warmly welcomed by Tibetan people wherever they went. People sang and danced in folk costumes.

Talking about religion and culture in Tibet, Plooij-Van Gorsel said the delegation had a good impression on the peaceful environment of the temples and the splendid religion and culture there.

Having visited the Potala Palace, the Jokhang Temple and the Zhaxilhunbo Temple, they were delighted to find that the cultural relics are preserved well and many have been listed in the World Cultural Heritage by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, Plooij-Van Gorsel said.

A lot of nations are interested in Tibetan culture, so Tibet should attract more international and private donations for the protection of culture relics, she said.

Plooij-Van Gorsel said they had a brief visit to a local prison and it was very clean there.

Though the delegation had little time in Tibet and the agenda was tightly arranged, they had frank and sincere talks with local officials, she said.

Plooij-Van Gorsel and her party left Tibet on July 13.