The Western view of Tibet is colored largely because of cross-cultural misunderstandings, which the media must bridge, a top official has said.

Zhao Qizheng, head of the foreign affairs committee of the country's top political advisory body, said: "The few foreigners who have visited Tibet hold three impressions of the region - one, it is beautiful; two, it is occupied by China; and three, Han Chinese culture has assimilated Tibetan culture.

"Other than the first impression, the remaining two are false notions."