Returned Tibetan compatriots are playing important roles in the construction of Tibet. Many of them have been elected as deputies to the people's congresses and members of the Chinese people's political consultative conferences at various levels. As spokespersons for the people, they actively participate in the administration and discussion of state affairs. Following are interviews with two returned Tibetan compatriots: One is a deputy to the Lhasa Municipal People's Congress, and the other is a member of the Lhasa Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference.

Zhaxi Wangdu (deputy to the Lhasa Municipal People's Congress): I am now already 75 years old. I returned from India and settled in Tibet in 1985. My original family home was in Qonggyai County, Shannan Prefecture. I grew up in Lhasa. I used to be a lama at the Sera Monastery. In 1959, after the rebellion started by some members of the upper strata of Tibet failed, I followed the Dalai Lama to India. I was 36 years old then. I lived abroad for more than 20 years. I worked as a road builder for three years. Later I was a member of the army of the Dalai Lama's "government-in-exile" for five years, and once served as platoon leader. I was not rich while living abroad, but my life was not too bad. When I returned to the motherland, I was 62 years old. There were many reasons for me to come back. The most fundamental reasons were: a. I was old and feeble, and so it had become very hard for me to find a job abroad. As I never married. I would have no one to rely on after I lost my ability to work. b. I was very homesick. I learned that great changes had taken place in China since 1980, and the people's livelihood had greatly improved. The policy adopted by the Chinese government toward overseas Tibetan compatriots --"All those who love China belong to one family; and whether one shows one's love for the country early or late, one is equally welcome." and "Tibetan compatriots may come and go as they wish: let bygones be bygones."-helped me make up my mind to come back home. Anyway，the moon of my hometown is the brightest. and the water of my motherland is the sweetest.

At first, having no relatives or friends. I depended on the Returned Tibetan Compatriots Reception Office of the Tibet Autonomous Region, and its local branch. They gave me settlement allowances and a house, and assigned me a job. Now I receive a monthly living subsidy. On festivals and holidays, leaders come to see me with gifts of butter and red tea. From the bottom of my heart, I am very satisfied with my life now.

Now I am a deputy to the Lhasa Municipal People's Congress. I take an active part in the various activities sponsored by the government, and participate in the administration and discussion of state affairs. The leaders of governments at all levels listen to my opinions carefully. If my suggestions are feasible they will accept them. For instance, I once suggested that wildlife be better protected and unrestricted hunting forbidden, so as to maintain the local ecological balance. I urged that the Law on the Protection of Wildlife should be better promoted and publicized, in the cities as well as in the countryside, and in the forest and pastoral areas as well. The broad masses of farmers and herdsmen should be educated to love and protect animals. The government has attached great importance to my proposals, and hunting is better regulated.

As I live alone. governments at all levels show special concern about my life and work. Quite a number of Tibetan compatriots have returned to China. just as I have. Now some hold higher positions, and others, lower ones. My only wish is that they should all live and work in peace and contentment, and become wealthy through their own labor under the guidance of the governments preferential policies. so as to lighten the state's burden. If they can do so, they will make a great contribution to their homeland. Our return to Tibet has added to the government's burden, so we will feel uneasy if we rely on the government all the time and remain a burden to our homeland.

In the past many overseas Tibetan compatriots who did not know the real facts, and believed in mendacious rumors, followed the lead of the Dalai Lama in advocating "independence" for Tibet. Anyone with a knowledge of history knows that Tibet is an inseparable part of Chinese territory, and advocating "independence" for Tibet is unrealistic and hopeless. It is the wish of the Tibetan people that Tibet should become prosperous step by step, and the people live and work in peace and contentment.

Twelve years have passed since I returned to Tibet in l985. What have impressed me most are the changes that have taken place in the motherland and the progress made by Tibet. As compared with the situation when I left. Tibet today is a virtual paradise. The society is stable, the people live well-off lives, and the market is brisk. All these things should be attributed to the Party's fine policies. and the selfless support and aid for Tibet from the central government and all provinces and municipalities.