Lhasa to tighten rules for copy shops
Residents in the Tibetan capital of Lhasa will soon have to register their names if they want to make photocopies, in an apparent government bid to deter separatists from printing pamphlets.
The Chinese government has carried out a sustained crackdown on alleged separatist activity in Tibet and its surrounding areas following anti-government protests in 2008 that erupted in violence. The riots sparked sympathy protests in Tibetan communities across a quarter of west China _ the widest uprising against Chinese rule in a half-century.
An official with the Lhasa Public Security Bureau said Wednesday that the local government hoped to begin enforcing the registration rule soon but he couldn’t give an exact launch date.
“Since May 1, Lhasa’s public security forces have been investigating these (photocopying) businesses and keeping track of them,” said the official, who would only give his surname as Ma. “There’s a lot of work to be done before we actually take this measure.”
He refused to specify what sort of printed material police were concerned about. The official China Daily newspaper reported Wednesday that police were worried that separatists were using pamphlets to spread illegal content.
China says Tibet has always been part of its territory, but many Tibetans say the Himalayan region was virtually independent for centuries until Chinese troops invaded in the 1950s.
Beijing blames the exiled Tibetan spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama, for fanning anti-government sentiment and routinely purges monasteries and nunneries, where support for the Dalai Lama and Tibetan independence run high.
Since the 2008 riots, Tibetan protests have continued to occur sporadically in heavily Tibetan regions. In China’s far western province of Gansu on Saturday, 15 Tibetans were wounded in a clash with local police after they blocked a road leading to a cement factory they blame for spewing pollution, an overseas Tibetan rights group said.
The International Campaign for Tibet quoted an exiled Tibetan in touch with locals in Gansu’s Xiahe county as saying 15 people were hospitalized with gunshot wounds or injuries from beatings by police. The Tibetans were upset because ash from the factory was polluting their grazing land and construction was encroaching on a religious site, the statement said, citing a petition prepared by the protesters.
The China Daily said the new rules for copy shops in Lhasa would require customers to submit both their names and addresses. Only permanent Lhasa residents or people with temporary Lhasa residence permits would be allowed to make copies, it said.
An employee of the Yongkang Photocopying and Printing Shop in Lhasa said by telephone that he had yet to receive any notice on registering customers. He said though that the shop already refuses service to some people based on what they are printing.
“If any material is written in characters we don’t know, like Tibetan, then we don’t print them,” said the man who would give only his surname, Luo. “There’s no official notice on that, but we just want to be safe.”
Associated Press researcher Zhao Liang contributed to this report.
Dharamsala Hands Over Donation to Charity For Quake-hit Tibet
[Thursday, 13 May 2010, 2:30 p.m.]
Dharamshala: The 4-14 Yushu Earthquake Charity Committee has received a total amount of Rs. 2.5 million donated voluntarily by Tibetans living in Dharamsala to help those affected in one of the deadliest earthquake that hit Kyegudo in Tibet, which left thousands dead and injured, and many thousands homeless.
The Kashag had appealed to the Diaspora Tibetan community in India, Nepal, Bhutan and other countries to contribute any relief, materially and monetarily, through the charity committee.
The contribution from Tibetans in Dharamsala was handed over by Kalon Tripa to the Charity at a special prayer service held for the victims of Kyegudo tragedy at the main Buddhist temple in Dharamsala on Tuesday, 11 May. The Tibetan Settlement Office assisted in coordinating the collection of donation from various offices and departments of the Central Tibetan Administration, monasteries and nunneries, non-governmental organisations, schools, Tibetan associations and individual Tibetans.
Tibetans in Dharamsala join for candle light vigil to mourn the tragedy in Kyigudo, Tibet
Addressing the solemn memorial service, Kalon Tripa said those affected by unimaginable catastrophe in Kyegudo were helped by their brethren living in Tibet and comforted with prayers from Tibetans living far away from Tibet. We commend the spirit of solidarity displayed by Tibetans during the crisis as the symbolism of the Tibetan people’s unity, he added.
Kalon Tripa spoke on series of religious services initiated by the Tibetan communities based across the world led by His Holiness the Dalai Lama. We hoped that the prayers would bring solace to all those affected by the calamity, he said.
In the aftermaths of the tragedy in Kyegudo, some of senior leadership of the Chinese government, including President Hu Jintao, CPPCC Chairman Jia Qinglin, Premier Wen Jiabao, Vice Premier Hui Liangyu and Executive Vice Minister of the Central United Front Work Department Zhu Weiqun, of whom some paid visits to the affected regions to express their solidarity with the victims. They had discharged their responsibilities of being political leaders, which was commended by His Holiness the Dalai Lama and we also must thank them as a gesture of our gratitude, Kalon Tripa said.
Kalon Tripa spoke about the long-term plans to help the rehabilitation of quake victims under the supervision of Vice Premier Hui Liangyu. He said Premier Wen Jiabao gave recognition and praised the rescue efforts led by Tibetan monks, he added.
We Tibetan people must express our gratitude to the exemplary rescue efforts made by Tibetans in Kyegudo and other areas of Tibet, including Tibetan monks and students, and students from China and other countries. We must also pay our gratitude and praise the Chinese people, including general public, intellectuals, writers and journalists, for showing their solidarity by giving donations, assisting those injured and highlighting the tragedy, Kalon Tripa said.
Kalon Tripa conveyed the Tibetan people’s gratitude and appreciation to the media, including BBC and CNN, for taking interest in making transparent coverage of the events to the whole world following the earthquake in Tibet.
He said the clear message conveyed by CPPCC Chairman Jia Qinglin to overseas Tibetans to make material donation or visit family members in Tibet has encouraged and showed to the Tibetans in exile a way forward. We firmly hope and belief that our wishes in accordance with the path shown by the Chinese leadership will come true, Kalon Tripa added.
Kalon Tripa reiterated the unwavering wish of His Holiness the Dalai Lama to visit the affected regions in Kyegudo to pray and comfort those affected by the earthquake. His Holiness has expressed his eagerness to visit the affected areas as Tibetans in the region yearn to seek his blessings. The Central Tibetan Administration led by His Holiness Dalai Lama does not have any desire to politicise the issue or gain any political mileage out it, he said.
(Reporter: Lobsang Choedak)
http://www.tibet.net/en/index.php#
The earthquake in Qinghai
From whence cometh my help
Co-operation between monks and the government has been curtailed
Apr 29th 2010 | BEIJING | From The Economist print edition
Time to go back to the cloister
FOR Tibet’s rebellious monastic community, the earthquake that killed more than 2,000 people in a remote county on the Tibetan plateau on April 14th became a rare opportunity to forge some trust with the government of China. In an unspoken truce, the authorities allowed monks from far and wide to to join the relief efforts. Chinese troops watched impassively as columns of red-robed Buddhists bearing the flags of their monasteries deployed near the epicentre. But mutual suspicions have been quick to resurface.
The devastation struck Yushu, a county in Qinghai province, which Tibetans view as part of their historic territory. The government has seen the recovery efforts here as a chance to show its care for an ethnic minority suffused with misgivings about Chinese rule. The prime minister, Wen Jiabao, delayed an overseas trip and the president, Hu Jintao, cut short a trip of his own to fly to the disaster area and be photographed with grieving Tibetans. Just as it did after a far more destructive earthquake in Sichuan province in 2008, the government declared a national day of mourning, which was observed on April 21st.
But official goodwill has its limits. Tibetan areas, including Qinghai, had been under a security clampdown since March 2008, when anti-Chinese protests and riots flared across the plateau. The government is still in no mood to give leeway to Tibetan dissenters who, it fears, might seize on any inadequacies in the relief mission to whip up public anger. One of China’s senior leaders, Jia Qinglin, said on April 19th that ‘hostile elements abroad”often code for the Dalai Lama and his supporters’were trying to ‘sabotage’ the relief work.
Four days later, police in Qinghai’s capital, Xining, detained a prominent Tibetan intellectual, Tagyal (he has a single name, as do many Tibetans). He had joined seven others in signing an open letter to residents of the disaster area. It referred to the earthquake as another blow to Tibetans; on top of ‘armed force and cruelty’. And it urged people to give donations only to ‘trustworthy’ agencies’implying that government bodies are too prone to corruption.
Tagyal’s letter seems to have been the last straw. The authorities were already enraged by a book he wrote under his pen name, which he had been circulating informally in the past few weeks. ‘The Line Between Sky and Earth’ praises the activism of monks during the Tibetan unrest of 2008 and calls for passive resistance as a way of pressing for more freedoms. Its message was particularly striking because Tagyal had been regarded by many Tibetans as someone who shared official China’s disdain for Tibetan religion. Police have informed Tagyal’s family that he is suspected of ‘inciting separatism’. Concerns about his book might have helped to inspire a campaign the government launched to prevent ‘illegal publications’ from disturbing the relief effort.
The authorities have reason to worry about the loyalties of this earthquake’s survivors. Some have been scrabbling in ruins to recover photographs of the Dalai Lama. The government has ignored the exiled Tibetan leader’s suggestion that he be allowed to visit Yushu. Woeser, a Tibetan writer living in Beijing, says survivors become excited whenever they spot an aeroplane overhead, hoping the Dalai Lama might be on board.
Monks, unfettered by the altitude sickness suffered by many of the emergency workers sent from other parts of China, made valiant contributions to the rescue. But the government appears to have lost patience with them. Within a week of the earthquake, officials were making it clear that those from outside the county should return to their monasteries. Woeser says that many monks have decided to play safe and withdraw.
China urged to free 11th Panchen Lama
Phayul[Monday, April 26, 2010 16:43]
By Phurbu Thinley
Gendhun Choekyi Nyima’s photo taken in 1995, when he was six years old, remains the only proving clue available of him to the outside world. (File photo)
Dharamsala, April 26: For Tibetans Gendhun Choekyi Nyima, who turned 21 Sunday, is very much their beloved and undisputed His Holiness the 11th Panchen Lama of Tibet. But no one knows where he is and what has become of him since he disappeared out of public view in Tibet 15 years ago.
Chinese Communist authorities secretly abducted him along with his parents in May 1995, shortly after His Holiness the Dalai Lama declared him to be the reincarnation of the Panchen Lama. Today only one photo taken when he was six years old remains the only clue available of him to the outside world.
Chinese Government claims that his whereabouts are kept undisclosed to protect him, but all requests for access to Gendhun Choekyi Nyima have been repeatedly refused so far.
The latest statement by the Chinese authorities concerning the fate of the Gendhun Choekyi Nyima came just last month from Pema Thinley, the Chinese-appointed governor of the Tibet Autonomous Region (TAR). Thinley told reporters on the sidelines of China’s annual legislative session in Beijing earlier in March that the young boy was living with his family and having a “very good life” somewhere in Tibet. He, however, gave no further details.
Tibetans and their supporters around the world on Sunday marked his 21st birthday by organising free Panchen Lama campaigns and holding candle light vigils in the evening to pray for his well-being.
His Holiness the Dalai Lama releases a book at a commemoration ceremony to mark 20 years since the passing away of the 10th Panchen Lama, Lhundrup Choekyi Gyaltsen, at Tsunglakhang in Dharamsala, India, December 30, 2009. (file photo/Phayul) In Dharamsala, the seat of Tibet’s government in exile in north India, official function was held yesterday during which exile Tibetan leaders, including the Speaker Penpa Tsering and Deputy Speaker Gyari Dolma of the Tibetan Parliament in Exile, and Cabinet ministers of the exile Tibetan government urged the Chinese Government to show him to the international community and let it meet him.
The Tibetan Women’s Association (TWA), one of the most prominent organisations campaigning for the release of Panchen Lama, urged the international community, including the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights and other human rights bodies, to join their “15-year struggle” to save the fate of the 11th Panchen Lama.
“TWA is committed to campaigning for the safe return of the Panchen Lama to his rightful abode and to seeing the complete restoration of his political and religious rights. Until this happens, we will do everything in our power to keep the plight of the Panchen Lama at the forefront of people’s minds,” says Kirti Dolkar Lhamo, the president of TWA.
TWA also launched an artwork competition featuring more than 20 acclaimed Tibetan artists to create an imaginary portrait of the 21-year old Panchen Lama. “This new art campaign is part of our continued effort to raise awareness and one that we hope will also create a meaningful visual reference for Tibetans,” says Lhamo. “Currently, the images we use to remember him are of a young child, but he has now reached adulthood,” she says.
Lhamo says the campaign serves to emphasise the length of his captivity he has gone – from boy to manhood – hidden from the eyes of the world. “So all we can do to visualise him is to use our imaginations,” she adds.
Lhamo says her organisation will chose one of the pieces of art and will use it as a new emblem for its campaign materials calling for the Panchen Lama?s release.
Tashi Lhunpo Monastery, the traditional seat of the successive Panchen Lamas, and the Central Association of Panchen Lama also jointly issued a statement Sunday asking China to provide clear information on his safety and whereabouts.
Panchen Lama is revered as the second highest tulku lineage in the Gelugpa tradition of Tibetan Buddhism and one of the most influential spiritual leaders of Tibet.
Traditionally, the Panchen Lama bears part of the responsibility for finding the incarnation of the Dalai Lama and vice versa, a practice many say has prompted China to install another boy, Gyaltsen Norbu, as the Panchen Lama.
Gyaltsen, who is generally not recognised by Tibetans, is being used by Beijing to supplant the Dalai Lama as the public face of Tibetan Buddhism in Tibet and elsewhere in China. In recent years he has taken on an increasingly political role and was recently appointed to China’s top government advisory body.
Statement of His Holiness the Dalai Lama on the
51st Anniversary of the Tibetan National Uprising Day
Today marks the 51st anniversary of the Tibetan people’s peaceful uprising in 1959 against Communist China’s repression in Tibet, as well as the second anniversary of the peaceful protests that erupted across Tibet in March 2008. On this occasion, I pay homage to those heroic Tibetan men and women, who sacrificed their lives for the cause of Tibet, and pray for an early end to the sufferings of those still oppressed in Tibet.
Despite the great hardships Tibetans have faced for many decades, they have been able to keep up their courage and determination, preserve their compassionate culture and maintain their unique identity. It is inspiring that today a new generation of Tibetans continues to keep Tibet’s just cause alive. I salute the courage of those Tibetans still enduring fear and oppression.
Whatever circumstances we find ourselves in, it is the responsibility of all Tibetans to maintain equality, harmony and unity among the various nationalities, while continuing to protect our unique identity and culture. Many Tibetans in Tibetan areas are working in various responsible posts in the party, government and military, helping Tibetans in whatever way they can. We recognise the positive contribution that many of them have made up to now, and obviously when Tibet achieves meaningful autonomy in the future, they will have to continue to fulfil such responsibilities.
Let me reiterate that once the issue of Tibet is resolved, I will not take any political position nor will members of the Tibetan Administration in exile hold any positions in the government in Tibet. I have repeatedly made this clear in the past. To understand the situation of the Tibetans in exile and their aspirations, I invite Tibetan officials serving in various Tibetan autonomous areas to visit Tibetan communities living in the free world, either officially or in a private capacity, to observe the situation for themselves.
Wherever Tibetans in exile have settled, we have been able to preserve and promote our distinct cultural and spiritual traditions, while generating awareness of the Tibetan cause. Unlike other refugees, we have been relatively successful because we have also been able to give our children a sound modern education, while bringing them up according to our traditional values. And because the heads of all four major schools of Tibetan Buddhism and the Bon religion are in exile we have been able to re-establish various institutions for religious training and practice. In these institutions over ten thousand monks and nuns are free to pursue their vocations. We have been readily able to provide educational opportunities for those monks, nuns and students who continue to come from Tibet. At the same time the unprecedented spread of Tibetan Buddhism in both East and West and the prospect of continuing to flourish in the future gives us hope that it may yet survive. This is some solace to us during this most critical period in Tibet’s history.
Today, the Chinese authorities are conducting various political campaigns, including a campaign of patriotic re-education, in many monasteries in Tibet. They are putting the monks and nuns in prison- like conditions, depriving them the opportunity to study and practise in peace. These conditions make the monasteries function more like museums and are intended to deliberately annihilate Buddhism.
Tibetan culture based on Buddhist values of compassion and non- violence benefits not only Tibetans, but also people in the world at large, including the Chinese. Therefore, we Tibetans should not place our hopes in material progress alone, which is why it is essential that all Tibetans, both inside and outside Tibet, should broaden their modern education hand in hand with our traditional values. Above all, as many young Tibetans as possible should strive to become experts and skilled professionals.
It is important that Tibetans maintain friendly relations not only with people of all nationalities, but also amongst themselves. Tibetans should not engage in petty disputes with each other. I earnestly appeal to them instead to resolve any differences with patience and understanding.
Whether the Chinese government acknowledges it or not, there is a serious problem in Tibet. As the world knows, this is evidenced by the fact that there is a huge military presence and restrictions on travel in Tibet. It is good for neither party. We have to take every opportunity to solve it. For more than 30 years, I have tried my best to enter into talks with the People’s Republic of China to resolve the issue of Tibet through the Middle-Way Approach that is of benefit to us both. Although I have clearly articulated Tibetan aspirations, which are in accordance with the constitution of the People’s Republic of China and the law on national regional autonomy, we have not obtained any concrete result. Judging by the attitude of the present Chinese leadership, there is little hope that a result will be achieved soon. Nevertheless, our stand to continue with the dialogue remains unchanged.
It is a matter of pride and satisfaction that our mutually beneficial Middle-Way Approach and the justice of the Tibetan struggle have gained growing understanding and support year by year from many political and spiritual leaders, including the President of the United States of America, reputed non-governmental organisations, the international community, and in particular from Chinese intellectuals. It is evident that the Tibetan issue is not a dispute between the Chinese and Tibetan peoples, but has come about because of the ultra-leftist policies of the Chinese Communist authorities.
Since the demonstrations in Tibet in 2008, Chinese intellectuals inside and outside China have written more than 800 unbiased articles on the Tibetan issue. During my visits abroad, wherever I go, when I meet Chinese in general, particularly the intellectuals and students, they offer their genuine sympathy and support. Since the Sino-Tibetan problem ultimately has to be resolved by the two peoples themselves, I try to reach out to the Chinese people whenever I can to create a mutual understanding between us. Therefore, it is important for Tibetans everywhere to build closer relations with the Chinese people and try to make them aware of the truth of the Tibetan cause and the present situation in Tibet.
Let us also remember the people of East Turkestan who have experienced great difficulties and increased oppression and the Chinese intellectuals campaigning for greater freedom who have received severe sentences. I would like to express my solidarity and stand firmly with them.
It is also essential that the 1.3 billion Chinese people have free access to information about their own country and elsewhere, as well as freedom of expression and the rule of law. If there were greater transparency inside China, there would be greater trust, which would be the proper basis for promoting harmony, stability and progress. This is why everyone concerned must exert their efforts in this direction.
As a free spokesperson of the Tibetan people I have repeatedly spelled out their fundamental aspirations to the leaders of the People’s Republic of China. Their lack of a positive response is disappointing. Although the present authorities may cling to their hard-line stand, judging by the political changes taking place on the international stage as well as changes in the perspective of the Chinese people, there will be a time when truth will prevail. Therefore, it is important that everyone be patient and not give up.
We acknowledge the Central Government’s new decision taken at the Fifth Tibet Work Forum to implement their policies uniformly in all Tibetan areas to ensure future progress and development, which Premier Wen Jiabao also reiterated at the recent annual session of the National People’s Congress. This accords with our repeatedly expressed wish for a single administration for all those Tibetan areas. Similarly, we appreciate the development work that has taken place in Tibetan areas, particularly in the nomadic and farming regions. However, we must be vigilant that such progress does not damage our precious culture and language and the natural environment of the Tibetan plateau, which is linked to the well- being of the whole of Asia.
On this occasion, I wish to take the opportunity to offer my sincere thanks to the leaders of various nations, their intellectuals, the general public, Tibet Support Groups and others who cherish truth and justice for continuing to support the Tibetan cause despite the Chinese government’s pressure and harassment. Above all I wish to pay my heartfelt gratitude to the Government of India, the various State Governments, and the people of India for their continued generous support.
Finally, I offer prayers for the happiness and well-being of all sentient beings.
The Dalai Lama
10 March 2010
The Statement of the Kashag on the Fifty-First Anniversary
of the Tibetan National Uprising Day
Today — 10 March 2010 — marks the 51st anniversary of the Tibetan people’s peaceful uprising against the Chinese authorities. On this momentous day, the Kashag pays homage to the brave men and women of Tibet who have laid down their lives for our spiritual and temporal cause. The Kashag also, in solidarity with those Tibetan compatriots who are presently undergoing torture inside Tibet, extends its best greetings and commiserations to all of them.
As detailed in the Kashag’s 10 March Statement of the previous year, we have witnessed both positive and negative developments during the last over 50 years. On the one hand, all Tibetans living inside and outside Tibet have endured tremendous hardships and our spirituality, polity and race have suffered irreparable damages. However, on the other hand, Tibetans inside Tibet of all ages have, without losing heart and inner strength, kept alive our struggle for truth all these years. In exile also, we have made great spiritual and political accomplishments, particularly in the fields of the preservation and promotion of Tibetan spirituality and culture. Today, while remembering all these things, the Kashag would especially like to express our deep sense of gratitude to His Holiness the Dalai Lama because all the positive results that we have been able to accomplish during these years is due to His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s leadership.
From the last 10 March anniversary until now, the Tibetans in exile and their administration have been organising numerous programmes, or commemorative events, to mark the 50 years of their life in exile and to express their heartfelt “Thank You” to their host countries. As a part of this programme, an informal meeting of the employees of Central Tibetan administration (CTA) was held recently to reflect upon the past experiences and to propose ideas regarding our future plans. A summary of what transpired in this meeting, which has already been brought to the attention of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, includes, among other things, the CTA employees re- pledging themselves to the path of peace and non-violence in
carrying forward our struggle for truth until the eventual resolution of the Tibet issue. It is our firm belief that the larger Tibetan population inside and outside Tibet will join in this solemn pledge.
Of abiding concern to us is that no positive developments have taken place in Tibet since a new crisis developed on 10 March 2008. Therefore, the Kashag would like to urge the People’s Republic of China (PRC) to put an immediate halt to their inhuman and unlawful actions, including repression and violations of human rights in Tibet, as well as handing down death and long-term prison sentences to the Tibetan people without due process of law. The Kashag would also like to make an emphatic appeal to them to release all the innocent Tibetan prisoners, including the young Panchen Lama — Gendun Choekyi Nyima. Furthermore, the Kashag would like to appeal to the Tibetans inside Tibet to exercise utmost restraint and caution.
In the on-going dialogue process, we have presented to the concerned officials of the PRC the Memorandum on Genuine Autonomy for the Tibetan People on 31 October 2008. In this memorandum, we have, besides articulating the fundamental aspirations of the Tibetan people inside and outside Tibet, requested for the full implementation of the National Regional Autonomy provisions as enshrined in the constitution. The Chinese side has, however, sought to distort or misrepresent the requests we have made in it. In order to offer clarifications to these, as well as to make a fresh request of two points, the envoys of His Holiness the Dalai Lama visited Beijing this year and conducted ninth round of talks with their Chinese counterparts on 30 and 31 January. In this
latest round of talks, the envoys, as advised by His Holiness the Dalai Lama, put forward these two points for the Chinese government’s consideration:
1) The ultimate concern of His Holiness is only the welfare of the six-million Tibetan people. Regarding this, the Chinese central government contends that the Tibetan people in Tibet are leading a happy life to their satisfaction and that there is no such issue as the Tibet issue that needs to be resolved. We believe, however, that most of the Tibetans in Tibet face tremendous hardships. There is, among them, a strong feeling of dissatisfaction or discontentment in every respect — be it religion, politics, economy, language, culture or social conditions. In the light of such divergent views between the two sides, there is a need for us to collectively undertake a careful investigation of the situation on the ground so as to understand what the reality is. We would like to, therefore, request the Chinese government to undertake the proposed investigation in a manner that affords all Tibetans the real opportunity to express their true feelings without any fear and doubts in their minds. If, as a result of such an investigation, it is found that most of the Tibetan people do not believe there is a problem in Tibet and that they are completely satisfied with their lot, then this is what His Holiness the Dalai Lama is calling for. There is, then, no need for both sides to argue about the issue of Tibet in the future. Whereas if we find that most of the Tibetans are dissatisfied, then the Chinese central government should also — treading the path of “seeking truth from facts” — acknowledge that there is a problem in Tibet and start discussions to collectively find the ways and means of solving the problem.
2) The allegation that His Holiness the Dalai Lama or his exile organisation has instigated the spontaneous and peaceful uprising that rocked the whole of the Tibetan areas since 10 March 2008 is not true. Hence, this allegation is not acceptable to us. This has been put across to the Chinese leadership during the informal discussion that took place in Shenzhen. As a result, during the seventh round of talks, the Chinese central government accepted the reality by changing its stance from the “Three Stops” to “Four Not- to-Supports”. Of late, however, it has begun to make the same kind of allegations against us. A need has, therefore, arisen for the Chinese central government to clarify now as to whether its viewpoint is same as it was during the seventh round of talks, or has it changed since then. If it has indeed changed, then the Chinese central government should undertake an in-depth investigation — both inside and outside Tibet — to determine scientifically the truth of these accusations. The verdict of such
an investigation should be accepted by both the parties concerned. Moreover, we should make amends if we are found to be wrong. If we are not found to be wrong, then the Chinese central government must stop spreading lies, or making such baseless allegations, both domestically and internationally, and issue a clarification to this effect.
The Chinese government didn’t provide any clear answers to these two points and they also failed to exactly communicate our requests in its subsequent press briefings or statements. As for us, we will continue to press ahead with these two requests we made in a sincere and honest manner. If the views held by the Chinese central government — and what they say — have any truth in them, then it should not hesitate to subject these to investigation. All of us can vouch for the fact that once a proper investigation is undertaken, it will help clear things for the future, thus making it easier for all to see the reality.
During the past nine rounds of talks, the envoys of His Holiness the Dalai Lama have stated categorically to the Chinese government that they have nothing to talk about the personal issue of His Holiness or about the issue of a few people surrounding him. The sole agenda of the dialogue process was to discuss about the welfare of the six-million Tibetan people. In none of these exchanges had they raised the personal issue of His Holiness. We have made this amply clear earlier and we would like to reiterate this today. Therefore, the Chinese government’s saying, through its official statements, that their purpose of engaging in dialogue with us is only to talk about the personal issue of His Holiness and not about the welfare of the Tibetan people is not true. This is simply irrelevant. Although there is no change whatsoever in our determination to engage in dialogue with the PRC until the issue of
Tibet is resolved once and for all, the Kashag would like to emphatically state that the agenda of the dialogue process should be only about the welfare of six-million Tibetans and nothing else. Therefore we reiterate that there is nothing to discuss about the personal welfare of His Holiness the Dalai Lama.
Considering the Tibet problem to be a domestic issue that has to be resolved within the framework of the PRC, we are always engaging with the Chinese central government. However, the Chinese side continues to talk about His Holiness the Dalai Lama and the issue
of Tibet and exert enormous pressure in connection with these issues everywhere — be it in their bilateral relations with other countries or in various international forums. It is clear to all of us that this is what actually drives the issue of Tibet towards becoming an internationalised issue.
Our struggle is based on truth and non-violence. We have no doubt that if all Tibetans living inside and outside Tibet put their complete faith in the non-violent path that we have chosen and practise, then the truth of the issue of Tibet will prevail sooner rather than later. Today, there are an increasing number of justice- loving countries, peoples as well as religious and political leaders, showing great concern and support to the issue of Tibet. A significantly large number of Chinese intellectuals from Mainland China and from abroad are now beginning to appreciate and support His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s Middle-Way policy. Moreover, the truth about the Chinese government’s wrong policies in Tibet is becoming ever more evident these days. Particularly, the mutually beneficial Middle-Way policy does not envisage victory for oneself and defeat for others. Envied by all the people of the world, it has the strong support of the USA and many other like-minded countries. Tibetan intellectuals inside Tibet, across three regions of Tibet, also admire and support it. Hence, the issue of Tibet has achieved — and is continuing to achieve — great results that have both the short- and long-term benefits. While expressing our immense gratitude to His Holiness the Dalai Lama for formulating such a genuine policy, the Kashag would like to pledge before Your Holiness that we will continue to uphold this policy without any doubt in our minds in the future.
Unimaginable atrocities and cruelty of the past about 60 years have not been able to shake the spirit and determination of the Tibetan people. The Chinese government is now further sharpening its strategy of employing deceit and money to destroy the spirit and unity of the Tibetan people. The Kashag believes that the Tibetan people will not fall prey to these Chinese deceptions. The unity among all the Tibetan people, which has remained intact for a long time now, has been strengthened after the popular uprising of 2008. The Kashag would like to urge all Tibetans to make efforts to further strengthen this bond of unity and to stay clear from the incitements or machinations of the other side to drive a wedge between us Tibetans. The Kashag would like to also urge that we Tibetans should caution by refraining from indulging in internal squabbles over petty matters.
Two important issues that the Tibetans inside Tibet must give a serious thought to are: 1) Tibetan youths should be encouraged to broaden their educational horizon by concentrating on both traditional and modern education and by acquiring professional and specialised skills in their chosen fields of study; and 2) explore all possible ways and means to save the delicate environment of the Tibetan plateau from further degradation. These are non-political issues that have a strong bearing on the short- and long-term benefits of both the Tibetan and Chinese peoples. Therefore, it is very important for both sides to make collective efforts towards these ends. Similarly, everyone should make best efforts to put into practice the advices His Holiness the Dalai Lama give to the people of world in general and to the people of Tibet in particular, the advices of both spiritual and temporal aspect that have huge bearing not just in this life but also in many lives to come.
If the Tibetans, who are currently divided into many administrative units, could be brought under a single autonomous administration, it will be more helpful in devising a uniform policy to bring about all-round development in the fields of education, culture, health, etc. It will, in particular, help protect the unique culture and identity of Tibet. The request to bring all Tibetans under a single administration has now and again been made to the Chinese government since 1951. As such, during the recent Fifth Work Forum on Tibet, delegates from all Tibetan areas were summoned to deliberate upon a uniform development plan for all Tibetans. The Forum has also identified the fact that the Tibetans in general, and the Tibetan farmers and herders in particular, are lagging behind as far as the standard of living is concerned. We must take note of these developments indeed. We await the Chinese government to actually implement a uniform development programme for all the Tibetan-inhabited areas.
His Holiness the Dalai Lama will turn 75 on 6 July 2010. The Kashag plans to celebrate his coming birthday more elaborately than the previous ones with major spiritual activities. Similarly, our exile democracy will complete 50 years on 2 September, this year. Therefore, we are planning to commemorate this day as well. We hope that all Tibetans will bear these upcoming events in mind. Although it is very difficult for the Tibetans inside Tibet to openly come out and celebrate these upcoming events, we believe they will be able to join us Tibetan exiles in their hearts and minds.
To conclude, the Kashag prays for the long life of His Holiness the Dalai Lama and the spontaneous fulfilment of all his wishes. May the truth of the issue of Tibet prevail soon!
The Kashag
N.B. This has been translated from the original statement issued in Tibetan. If there is any discrepancy between the two, please treat the Tibetan version as authoritative and final.
China launches “Strike Hard” Campaign ahead of sensitive anniversary
Press Release
TCHRD/ENG
March 3, 2010
The Tibetan Centre for Human Rights and Democracy(TCHRD) condemns in strongest term over
Chinese authorities — launching of the –“Strike Hard” campaign aimed at carrying out further detentions of Tibetans in Tibet as the March anniversary of the Tibetan Uprising approaches.
According to information given in the official newspaper Lhasa Evening News (Ch: Lasa Wen Bao)
today, “the Lhasa City Public Security Bureau (PSB) officials under the order of Lhasa City
government, the “Tibet Autonomous Region” (“TAR”) PSB, “TAR” Party Committee and Lhasa City Party Committee had carried out the “Strike Hard” Campaign from 9:00PM (Beijing standard time)
yesterday across the Tibetan Capital, Lhasa. “The campaign was also launched across all seven
prefectures under the “TAR” in order to strike hard according to law against all kinds of criminal activity and to vigorously uphold the social order and stability.” The length of this campaign was not mentioned and it may last for months.
Additional security forces in full combat gear were deployed in and around Lhasa City and at its
every entry points to the city. Vehicles plying to and from Lhasa city were thoroughly searched
and requiring anyone entering or leaving the city to show identification. New security barricades
were set up to look for any possible suspects and round-the-clock security measures were also
undertaken. Security forces in combat uniform were seen patrolling the major gathering points,
high prone areas, and raids were also carried out in guest houses. There is no information on how
this campaign has fared in other prefectures under the “TAR”.
According to the official report, the Lhasa City PSB officials during the campaign last night
detained 70 people without official registration card and identity card from rented houses located
on the Sera Road. Seven counties under the Lhasa Municipality also carried out the “strike hard”
campaign on war footing with major search and raid being carried out.
The new “Strike Hard” campaign is being launched after years of severely tight security and most
repressive political conditions in Tibet. Unlike previous “strike hard” campaigns which mostly
focused in Lhasa city, this time the campaign has been launched across the “TAR” simultaneously.
This new development signals authorities “hardening policies in Tibet and the authorities”
pre emptive move to squash any imminent new protest in the coming days.
“Strike Hard” campaigns are normally carried out in various parts of the People’s Republic of
China prior to major events, including national holidays, anniversaries, as well as before the
main annual government and Party conferences often with the stated intention of “cleansing the
social environment.” The “strike hard” campaign launched yesterday could be a prelude to a series
of arbitrary detention and arrests prior to the 10 March Anniversary of the Tibetan Uprising, the
Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPCC), China’s top advisory body that
convenes today and the annual plenary sessions of China’s National People’s Congress (NPC) on Friday.
Though the primary objective of the current “strike hard” campaign was mentioned as fighting
criminals, upholding social order and stability, however, the TCHRD believes the primary motive
behind this infamous campaign as the authorities’ attempt to detain those Tibetans suspected to be
“involved in political activism, target former political prisoners and Tibetan residents from outside Lhasa city, monks and nuns as sensitive date approaches. Under this campaign, the Chinese
law enforcement bodies abuse the fundamental human rights of the Tibetan people through
arbitrary arrest, detention, interrogation and torture, dismissal from jobs and expulsion from
religious institutions. TCHRD condemns the launch of “strike hard” campaign and question the motive behind the campaign.”
With unprecedented levels of security presence already throughout Tibet, with the launch of this
campaign, TCHRD fears a widespread unlawful detentions of Tibetans will intensify in the
coming weeks and months, and that they may be used to silence, intimidate and stifle political
dissent in the build up to the 10 March Anniversary when the authorities fear fresh unrest following the wave of protests that swept across the Tibetan plateau in the past couple of years.
Contact: chris@christinemccann.com
First of all I would like to wish you all a Happy Tibetan New Year- Losar- Year 2137, Year of the Iron Tiger, which falls on 14th February. May this year bring positive changes for Tibet.
Although many countries have been putting pressure on China to come to a lasting solution with Tibetan representatives, so far nothing concrete has eventuated. Since 2002, when talks restarted, representatives of His Holiness the Dalai Lama have met with their Chinese counterparts nine times. We understand that during the seventh round, China asked the Tibetan side to produce a concrete proposal. This they did on the following round, presenting China with a Memorandum, in which every point is guaranteed under the Chinese Constitution, but China flatly refused to discuss this, which shows that she is not serious in finding a lasting solution for Tibet. You can read the full text of the Memorandum on our website www.friends-of-tibet.org.nz As many of you know, the latest round of talks was held in late January this year. Again, it was all words and no substance from China. This time, China has made more demands from the Tibetan side. They know that these will not be acceptable by the Tibetan people. As well, China seems intent on discussing only the possible return to Tibet of His Holiness. This is not the main purpose of these meetings.
Over the past few years, China has been putting much pressure on foreign governments, New Zealand included, not to meet His Holiness when he visits their countries, and many are buckling to those demands. It is ironic that China criticises other governments for “interfering in China’s internal affairs”, yet has no problem in poking its nose in the affairs of other countries. The latest example is China has removed the University of Calgary from their accredited list because the university
awarded His Holiness an honorary Doctorate last year. International governments must not give in to China’s bullying tactics.
US President Obama is due to meet His Holiness in the near future: let’s hope that he stands his moral grounds on which the United States were built.
It was with mix feelings amongst all Tibetans that we learned the passing away of Ngapo Ngawang Jigme in Beijing on December 2009. He was nearly 100 years old. He was the one of the Tibetan government’s delegation that were send to negotiate with China’s “peaceful Liberation of Tibet” he was made to sign the 17 Point Agreement in 1951 under duress. He worked for the Chinese Government until his death in December 2009. (read brief article on Ngapo Ngawang Jigme in this newsletter)
10th March-Tibet Uprising Day: 10th March will be commemorated in various ways throughout New Zealand, as well as the rest of the free world. Please check with your local branch for activities. Phone numbers are below or see the local branch news.
With best wishes and Tashi Delek,
Thuten Kesang,
National Chairman.
China removes accreditation from University of Calgary after Dalai Lama honour
By Gwendolyn Richards
The Calgary Herald (Canada)
February 4, 2010
CALGARY — The Chinese government has removed the University of Calgary from its list of accredited
institutions — a move school officials are concerned is connected to the Dalai Lama’s visit last fall.
The university hosted the Tibetan spiritual leader and awarded him an honourary degree when he visited the city in September.
In December, officials were made aware the Chinese government had removed the university from a list posted on the Ministry of Education’s website.Now the university is trying to see what impact that will have on Chinese nationals who have already obtained a degree or are working toward one at the institution.
“Our biggest concern is we don’t want to disadvantage current or prospective students or our alumni,” university spokeswoman Colleen Turner said Wednesday.
The Chinese government has made no official communication to the university indicating what it has done or why.
The university learned of the move late last year after an employee in the international student centre and a handful of students raised the issue. They did not indicate to the university how they heard about the move, Turner said.
While there has been no confirmation the sanction is a result of the university’s involvement in the Dalai Lama’s visit, Turner said the university is concerned there is a link.
A spokeswoman with the Chinese consulate in Calgary would not respond to questions about why the government removed the university’s name, saying only cryptically that the U of C “should know.”
The Herald has learned officials from the Chinese consulate in Calgary met with university representatives in April when they outlined they did not want the Dalai Lama on the campus and they were against him being awarded an honorary degree.
The spiritual leader did not go to the campus, but was given an honorary doctor of laws at the start of the two-day conference on Sept. 30.
He has been awarded more than 25 honorary degrees from institutions around the world, including the University of British Columbia, Simon Fraser University and University of Toronto and others in the U.S., Italy, Australia and Germany.
“We knew at the time the decision to bring in the Dalai Lama would not be without controversy. All of that said, the decision to bring in the Dalai Lama was not intended to dishonour or disvalue our relationship with our Chinese partners or the Chinese community,” Turner said.
The university currently has about 600 students from mainland China and Hong Kong.
Tibetan culture can benefit humanity: Dalai Lama
December 27th, 2009 – 9:24 pm ICT by IANS –
Dharamsala, Dec 27 (IANS) Tibetan spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama, Sunday said it is important to preserve and promote Tibetan culture which has the potential to benefit humanity. There is a need for preserving and promoting the Tibetan Buddhist culture, which has the potential to benefit the humanity,? the Dalai Lama said while addressing the inaugural session of the Fifth Tibetan general conference on education at Tibetan Children’s Village here.
The efforts made in education by the Tibetans is one of the biggest achievements in the past five decades in exile. But there is a need for reviewing the past to rectify the mistakes and make even greater progress in the standard of education.
There is also need for holding open and interactive discussion to explore effective ways to improve the quality of learning both in traditional Tibetan studies and modern education he told the participants attending the conference.
More than 200 participants representing 85 Tibetan schools from across India, Nepal and Bhutan are attending the three-day conference.
The Nobel laureate also emphasised the need to introduce study of Buddhist philosophy and dialectic in the school-curriculum.
He also emphasised the importance of translating teachings of Buddha and other Buddhist masters into the Chinese language.
The Dalai Lama along with many of his supporters fled Tibet and took refuge in India when Chinese troops moved in and took control of Lhasa in 1959.
He has ever since been heading the Tibetan government-in-exile here. No country recognizes the government-in-exile.
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