Is that so?
Dalai: In the past, I had only heard that the Soviet Union gave our country much selfless aid, but as to what it was actually like, I had not seen it and could only imagine. This time I have personally seen the Soviet Union's truly selfless help to us, and I would like to go to the Soviet embassy to express my thanks.
Mao: After hearing this, I feel that you have a broad perspective, not only seeing Tibet, but also seeing the affairs of the whole country. You are happy when there are good things in the whole country, which is to say that in your thinking you are not only thinking of Tibet. You are very promising, younger than I am. We must manage all of China well, and then broaden our perspective further, we must manage the whole world well. The teachings of Buddhism also have this idea. The founder of Buddhism, Shakyamuni[1], was speaking on behalf of the oppressed people in India at that time. He advocated delivering all living creatures from torment; in order to relieve the suffering of all living creatures, he did not become a prince and founded Buddhism. Therefore, you who believe in Buddhism and we Communists have a common ground in relieving the suffering of the oppressed for all living creatures (that is, the masses of the people). Of course, there are many points of difference.
In the interior there is a Guanyin Bodhisattva. People have sculpted her image to be very beautiful, solemn, and benevolent. People have great faith in her, believing she is a god of great mercy and compassion who saves people from hardship and disaster. Does Tibet also have a Guanyin Bodhisattva?
Dalai: Tibet has a Guanyin Bodhisattva. The statues are also very beautiful and benevolent, like a girl of fifteen or sixteen.
Mao: Regarding the view you raised the other day of treating Han cadres working in Tibet as your own cadres, that is correct. The Han cadres working in Tibet are there to help, not to replace. The implementation of regional autonomy is genuine autonomy, relying mainly on Tibet's own cadres. But in order to obtain the help of the Han nationality, we can send a small number of Han cadres into the autonomous region to help wholeheartedly. We have stressed to the Han cadres sent to work in Tibet that they must go to help wholeheartedly; for the sake of helping, they can even give up their lives. They must help well and are not allowed to help badly. But on this point, some people's thinking is still not clear; they are unwilling to work there, shouting every day that they want to come back. This is still planning for the Han nationality, and not planning for the Tibetan nationality. When giving things, they also try to give a little less, and so on; these are all planning for the Han nationality. Some people have serious subjectivism, are very impatient, feel that others are backward, and cannot stand the sight of them. In fact, they have forgotten that they themselves were once backward. The Han nationality is now a bit more progressive, but it also came from being backward. But when people two thousand years from now look at us, we will be very backward, just as we now see Kong Fuzi[1] as very backward. Kong Fuzi had never seen a car or an airplane, and of course could not drive a car or an airplane, nor could he convene a National People's Congress. But we have progressed; we can now ride in cars and airplanes, and can also convene a National People's Congress. Society is always constantly progressing.
You have resolved many specific problems this time, which is very good. How do you feel?
Dalai: We who are here are all very satisfied. But the Kashag[2], because it does not understand the situation clearly, still has some doubts.
Mao: Very good. After you go back, you should explain the situation to them clearly. When the autonomous region is established in the future, they will still have some doubts, mainly fearing that their interests will be harmed. How are the two Sicao[3] now? Can they be placed in the Chouweihui[4], or perhaps be arranged a position in the National Committee of the CPPCC in the future? If they are willing to come to meetings, we welcome them; if they are not willing to come, then let it be. In short, we cannot forget them.
Today, because you are about to leave, I have come to see you. Finally, I have one more thing to tell you: of all the Han cadres sent to work in Tibet, if there are any who cannot get along with you or have poor unity, you tell me, and we will transfer them back.
Dalai: For the Chairman to come here suddenly, I feel as if I am in a dream. After several meetings and conversations with the Chairman, my heart has undergone a tremendous change. After I go back, I will definitely turn these instructions into practical actions. If there is any matter, I will definitely report it directly to the Chairman, and at the same time, I ask the Chairman to give me instructions in all aspects. After I go back, with Zhang Guohua[1] and others working there, I will definitely break the past pattern of just getting by, and sincerely help each other and work hard together.
Mao: We have great hopes for the Tibetan nationality; in the future, it will be of great help to us. This point must be made clear: help between nationalities is mutual help. The Tibetan nationality gives us great help politically; if national unity is handled well, things will be easy to manage. This time you came to Beijing and visited various places, the Han people attached great importance to you. In terms of reception and welcome, it all showed that we are very well united. For example, take national defense; Tibet's help to us is also very great. In the future, Tibet will also be of great help to us economically. Your place was once a great sea; this was tens of millions of years ago. The petroleum we use now comes from the slow transformation underground of animals that died in oceans or lakes tens of millions of years ago. Therefore, there may be large amounts of petroleum in your area, as well as various mineral resources, which will be very useful for national construction after they are extracted in the future.
[1] Zhang Guohua was at that time the First Deputy Secretary of the Tibet Work Committee of the CPC and Commander of the Tibet Military Region of the Chinese People's Liberation Army.

Conversation with Panchen Erdini[1]
(March 9, 1955)
Mao Zedong (hereinafter referred to as Mao): Are you in good health? I heard that your health was not very good before, how is it now?
Panchen Erdini (hereinafter referred to as Panchen): It is completely fine now.
Mao: Are you planning to visit Shanghai this time?
Panchen: This time the plan was originally to go to Shanghai and Hangzhou. Following the Chairman's instruction, I will now also go to Guangzhou to visit.
Mao: Very good. When you go to Guangzhou, you must visit Humen[2]. This place is of great historical significance. If you ask them, they will give you an introduction.
Panchen: For the Chairman to come here specially today, showing great concern for us, we are especially grateful.
Mao: You are about to leave, so I came to see you.
Panchen: For several decades we had not returned to Tibet. That we are able to return to Tibet this time is mainly due to Chairman Mao's leadership.
Mao: This is not me personally; it is due to the leadership of the Communist Party, the help of the People's Liberation Army,
[1] Panchen Erdini, i.e., Panchen Erdini Qoigyi Gyaincain, was at that time a Vice Chairman of the National Committee of the CPPCC.
[2] Humen is located in the southern part of Guangdong Province, one of the main estuaries of the Pearl River. During the Daoguang reign of the Qing dynasty, Lin Zexu destroyed opium smuggled into China by British merchants in Humen, and led the Chinese army and people to resist the invading British forces. Relics such as the opium destruction pools and forts remain here.