London, Mar 11: Hollywood actor/ political activist Richard Gere has voiced hope that China could one day have a Tibetan leader - the same way as United States has a black president.

Gere, a Buddhist, is particularly passionate about Chinese/Tibetan relations.

The actor was in Washington to urge Congress to support Tibet in the country''s fight against oppression by the Communist government in neighbouring China.

New Delhi, Mar. 10 : Tibet''s spiritual leader, The Dalai Lama, has warned that Tibetans are close to extinction, thanks to the oppressive and authoritarian approach of the Chinese.

Speaking ahead of the 50th anniversary of his flight from Lhasa to exile in India, a defiant Dalai Lama praised the sacrifices of those killed during last year''s uprising.

The Dalai Lama''s speech came as China reiterated its determination to stop a repeat of last year''s violence in Tibet.

New Delhi  - Tibet's spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama, advocated autonomy for Tibet and asserted in a speech delivered Tuesday to mark the 50th anniversary of the failed uprising against Chinese rule that the cause will prevail.

"We need to look to the future and work for our mutual benefit. We Tibetans are looking for a legitimate and meaningful autonomy, an arrangement that would enable Tibetans to live within the framework of the People's Republic of China," he said in India's northern hill town of Dharamsala.

Beijing - Tibetan areas of China were sealed off to foreigners on Tuesday amid tension surrounding the anniversaries of a 1959 uprising against Chinese rule and violent protests last year.

Foreign journalists and tourists were barred from almost all Tibetan areas of provinces adjoining the Tibet Autonomous Region, as the ruling Communist Party tightened border security and stepped up a propaganda drive.

Washington  - From ages 13 to 24, the young Tibetan nun suffered daily beatings and deprivations from her Chinese jailers in the Tibetan capital Lhasa.

Ngawang Sangdrol's original crime - chanting slogans like "Free Tibet" - earned her a three-year sentence in 1992. A year later, it grew to 23 years after she and other jailed nuns smuggled out a secret recording of activist songs.

Family visits during the 11 years were limited to one relative for no more than five minutes a month, she told Deutsche Presse-Agentur dpa.

Washington  - With Tibetan national and US flags rippling in heavy winds, "Free Tibet" activists rallied Monday outside the White House to pressure President Barack Obama to take up the cause of China's oppression in Tibet.

The noontime rally was timed to coincide with midnight in Tibet, which marks the 50th anniversary of the failed uprising against Chinese rule and the flight of the Dalai Lama into exile.