Stability and development of Tibet has demonstrated the Chinese central government has carried out the right policies in the region, Premier Wen Jiabao said on Friday.

"The situation in Tibet on the whole is stable. The Tibetan people hope to live and work in peace and stability," Wen told a press conference on Friday morning, after the conclusion of the annual session of the National People's Congress (NPC).

"Both China's Constitution and the Law on Ethnic Regional Autonomy safeguard the freedom and rights of people in Tibet, particularly in religious belief," the premier said.

He added that the central government has increased fiscal input to Tibet to accelerate the region's economic development and to improve the well-being of farmers and herders.

"The Tibet Autonomous Region would continue to follow the opening-up policy for the sake of its own development," he said.

Wen said Tibet is an inalienable part of China and issues related to Tibet are China's internal affairs which should not be interfered by foreign countries.

"Our stance toward Tibet is consistent and clear cut," he said, adding the door is always open for talks with the Dalai Lama if he gives up his separatist attempt.

(Xinhua News Agency March 13, 2009)