<正> EDITOR'S NOTE: On August 25,2003, Shanba Puncog, Chairman of the Government of the TAR held a collective interview with 43 reporters with 33 foreign media stationed in China.To begin with, he made a general overview of Tibet: 1.2 million square km representing one-eighth of Chinese territory; 2.6 million people living in the region, with over 95 percent being Tibetan, who enjoy real freedom and human rights today. 'Now is the best time in history,' he said, adding that the Tibetans are full of confidence for a more beautiful tomorrow. The following is excerpts of the interview, with questions translated from Chinese.