Dharamshala, Oct. 2 -- On the 77th founding anniversary of the People's Republic of China, Tibetan leaders on Thursday called on the Chinese leadership to respect the aspirations, cultural identity and way of life of Tibetans and other non-Han nationalities.

Speaker of the Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile Dolma Tsering Teykhang said China's emphasis on unity, harmony and development should be accompanied by respect for diversity, freedom and the cultural rights of non-Han communities.

"Unity without diversity is assimilation, and progress without freedom or having any say is not freedom. Harmony without freedom is not harmony," Teykhang said.

She said Tibetans were not seeking animosity or confrontation with China, but wanted space to prese...