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Chinese officials say improvements in health care standards in Tibet have almost doubled life spans there from 35 to 65 years. And by 2010, they are confident that Tibet's development can rival other Chinese cities.

This is a transcript from The World Today. The program is broadcast around Australia at 12:10pm on ABC Local Radio. HAMISH ROBERTSON: We start the program in Beijing, where the Prime Minister John Howard is today beginning a series of meetings with China's top leaders.

The upcoming tour of His Holiness the Dalai Lama to the United States will also feature a programme to dedicate a Temple in Bloomington, Indiana.

A sculpture at the Lhalung monastery showing the Buddha amidst lively mythical creatures and foliated designs.

The few surviving monasteries of the 11th century bring to light important aspects of the development of Buddhist art in the Himalayan region and its deep connections with the philosophy and art of eastern India and Kashmir.

They are people in exile but have strived to keep their identity and vibrant culture alive in other lands. The ``Festival of Tibetan Culture'' being organised in the city by Tibet House, New Delhi, and World Buddhist Culture Trust, New Delhi

What is now a beautiful and inspiring sand design will soon be at the bottom of the Powow River tomorrow, by design. Two Tibetan Buddhist monks are nearing the end of a week-long ritual of peace by constructing a colorful sand mandala inside a downtown church.

At least one local resident will help lead a discussion panel during the Dalai Lama's visit to Bloomington next month -- model Elaine Irwin-Mellencamp, wife of rocker John Mellencamp.

Bharat Tibet Sahyog Manch will organise a three-day conference from September 5 in Chandigarh to discuss various issues relating to Tibet and Sino-Indian relations with particular reference to the joint declaration after the recent visit of the Prime Minister Mr Atal Bihari Vajpayee, to China.

At least 50 people, including 16 army personnel, were reported missing in a landslide that buried settlements and an army post last night near the Nepal-Tibet border, a newspaper report said today.