The Dalai Lama says he is encouraged by what he called growing solidarity and support shown by Chinese people and intellectuals for the Tibetan cause.

Speaking at a press conference in Lausanne, where he is giving two days of public teachings on Buddhism, the 74-year-old Nobel Peace Prize laureate said there was growing awareness in China about the Tibetan problem.

Regarding Tibet's quest for autonomy, he said "from a wider perspective, things are very hopeful".

The Dalai Lama said even some Chinese officials told him in private that they are concerned about Tibet.

He added that the international community should send investigators to Tibet for a thorough probe into the violent crackdown of Tibetan protests last year.

The Dalai Lama arrived in Switzerland on Monday afternoon for the start of a five-day visit, which will not include a formal meeting with cabinet ministers. He is however set to meet Chiara Simoneschi-Cortesi, the speaker of the House of Representatives.

On Thursday he will travel to Geneva for a Sino-Tibetan conference.

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