A two-day forum on economic, cultural and social development in China's Tibet opened here on October 22.

The forum, Tibet: Development Prospects and Cooperation Opportunities, has attracted more than 400 participants from China, Italy, Austria, the United States, India, Australia, Spain and Belgium.

Wang Chen, minister of the Information Office of the State Council of China, addresses the opening ceremony of the Second Forum on Tibet, in Rome, Italy, Oct. 22, 2009.

"This is not only an event of significance in the economic cooperation and cultural exchange between China and Italy, but also a grand meeting of international Tibetologists on the study of issues related to the development of Tibet in modern times," Wang Chen, Minister of the State Council Information Office of China, said at the opening ceremonies.

Dotok, vice chairman of the Tibet Autonomous Regional Government, addresses the opening ceremony of the Second Forum on Tibet, in Rome, Italy, Oct. 22, 2009.

He said the forum was an important component in friendly communication between China and Italy.