CTA Urges Chinese Govt to Ensure Safety of Tibetan Students in China

DHARAMSHALA: The Central Tibetan Administration said it is deeply  disturbed and concerned by recent reports of confrontations between  Tibetan and Chinese students at a school in Chengdu, which led to  several Tibetans being hospitalised after they were beaten by an  overwhelming number of Chinese students.

“The Central Tibetan Administration is deeply disturbed and  concerned by news of confrontations, on  December 14th 2011, between  Tibetan and Chinese students at the Railway Engineering School in  Chengdu, the provincial capital of Sichuan,” Information &  International Relations Kalon Dicki Chhoyang told Tibetan reporters  today.

“About 3,000 Chinese students are reported to have entered into a  fight with a few hundred Tibetan students. Several Tibetan students  are said to have been hospitalized due to injuries,” the DIIR kalon  said.

Kalon Dicki Chhoyang expressed concern over similar reports of  tensions between Tibetan and Chinese students in the Chengdu area  in 2010, when a Tibetan student named Pasang was stabbed to death  at the Light Engineering School in Zigong city. “It remains unknown  whether the assailant(s) were arrested and prosecuted,” she added.

“In light of these recent events, we encourage Tibetan students to  focus on their studies and maintain cordial relations with other  fellow students in keeping with our traditional values. Our pride  in our Tibetan identity and heritage does not rest on a show of  physical force, but through academic excellence,” Kalon Chhoyang  said.

“With Tibetan students reported to study in 12 cities in mainland  China, the Chinese government must ensure their personal safety,”  she said.

“In keeping with its claim to build a harmonious society, we hope  the PRC government will take the necessary measures to promote good  relations between Chinese and Tibetan people. Consequently, such  efforts will facilitate positive interactions between Chinese and  Tibetan students,” she added.

“The Kashag of the Central Tibetan Administration would like to  reiterate that the Tibetan struggle is neither anti-China nor anti-  Chinese. We strive for the restoration of freedom in Tibet through  peaceful dialogue,” the DIIR kalon said.

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