Phuntsog Wangyal, or Phunwang, has died aged 92. Phuntsog Wangyal founded the Tibetan Communist Party which later merged with Mao’s Communist Party, and wrote to Chinese leaders calling for a review of their attitude towards the Dalai Lama. He condemned the political environment in China, writing that stability in regions such as Tibet cannot be maintained with “the gun and the renminbi [Chinese currency]”. “I am deeply saddened” said HH the Dalai Lama, “He was genuinely motivated to fulfill the interests of the Tibetan people…we have lost a trusted friend.”