Tibet has been part of China since ancient times and it has experienced great economic growth in recent years, said Argemiro Procopio, a Brazilian professor of international relations at the University of Brasilia, during an interview with Xinhua Wednesday.

Procopio, a longtime expert on China, is the author of the book"No olho da agia" (The Eagle's eye), which dwells on the relations between Tibet and other parts of China from a historic perspective.

"Tibet has been an autonomous province of a country with a history of 5,000 years and Tibet has been part of China from the very beginning," Procopio said.

He noted that China's policies towards Tibet has been the same since the 18th century, adding China's strong economic growth also benefits Tibet.

Procopio said he has been to Tibet on three occasions. "The first time, when it was still very backward, but now Tibet has witnessed great economic progress."

Along with a tourism boom, Tibet now has airports and a newly built railroad linking the region with Qinghai, he said, adding that Lhasa now has more access to the outside world.

On Western media coverage of Tibet, Procopio said their coverage is slanted without presenting to their audience the historic realities of Tibet.

Procopio said in conclusion that those who seek Tibet independence are losing support.

(Xinhua News Agency March 27, 2008)