Tibetan Headlines
Jul 9: Taiwan Parliamentary Group for Tibet
Taiwan has formed a new “Parliamentary Group for Tibet” that will “contact similar organizations overseas to help defend the case of human rights and freedom for Tibet on an international level”. The group describe Taiwan “as a frontline state against Chinese expansionist ambitions”, whilst legislator, Freddy Lim, has called for Taiwan’s government to “maintain an open attitude toward plans for a trip by the Dalai Lama” despite protests from Beijing.
Jul 9: US Ambassador Commends HH
The United States (US) Ambassador to Indian has commended His Holiness (HH) the Dalia Lama for his “tireless efforts to seek freedom for Tibetans, preserve the Tibetan culture and bring an end to strife and hostility around the world”. Describing HH as “a universal symbol of peace and tolerance”, Kenneth Ian Juster, added that he looks“forward to more years of [HH’s] leadership in the service of freedom for Tibetans”.
Jul 9: Modi Fails to Congratulate HH
Indian Prime Minister (PM), Narendra Modi, failed to send 85th birthday wishes to His Holiness (HH) the Dalai Lama despite a global outpouring of support. Many had hoped that Modi would signal a shift in policy towards China by sending congratulations but author, Brahma Chellaney, observed that “in early 2018, Modi, seeking to appease China, ended all official contact with the Dalai Lama. Alas, that policy remains, despite China's aggression”.
Jul 8: US Tibet Sanctions
The United States (US) has announced that it is to bar Chinese officials who have “restricted journalists, tourists, diplomats or other American officials from entering autonomous regions in Tibet”. Secretary of State, Mike Pompeo, added that the US remained “committed to supporting meaningful autonomy for Tibetans, respect for their fundamental and unalienable human rights”. British parliamentarians have proposed a similar measure to ban Chinese officials who block access to Tibet.
Jul 8: India Threatened Over Tibet
Chinese state media has warned India not to “use the Tibet Card”, describing Tibetan independence as “a lost and absurd idea”. In the Global Times editorial titled “Proposed Tibet Card Harmful to Indian Economy”, it was asserted that “Tibet is the internal issue of China and no one should touch this issue”, adding that any benefit of raising the issue to resolves India’s standoff with China would be an “illusion”.
Jul 8: Hope for Free Tibet
A Central Tibetan Administration (CTA) representative in Ladhk, India, has expressed optimism about the prospects of a free Tibet. Tseten Wangchuk, an officer for the exiled CTA, believes that border clashes with India and the spread from Wuhan of COVID-19 has increased global pressure on Beijing. Wangchuk added that, “the free Tibet movement is gaining momentum. The world must resolve the Tibetan issue while the Dalai Lama is alive”.
Jul 8: HK to Become a New Tibet
The President of the exiled Central Tibetan Administration has said that China’s tightening grip on Hong Kong (HK) will see it suffer Tibet’s fate. Speaking about HK’s new security legislation, Lobsang Sangay, has described how after Tibet agreed to the 17-point "one country, two systems" agreement, China began curtailing freedoms in the Himalayan kingdom and “all the provisions of the 17-point agreement were violated by the Chinese later”.
Jul 7: Tibetan Solidarity with Uyghurs
Tibetans in Switzerland have stood in solidarity with protestors commemorating the 2009 Urumqi massacre. The group were prevented from delivering a letter of appeal to the Chinese consulate in Zurich after Swiss police intervened at the request of Chinese officials. The demonstration and letter was intended to demand justice for the hundreds of Uyghurs killed and disappeared on July 5th 2009 during a Chinese government crackdown.
Jul 7: Messages on HH’s Birthday
Messages have been delivered from around the world to congratulate His Holiness (HH) the Dalai Lama on his 85th birthday. HH has said that large celebrations, made impossible by COVID-19 restrictions, were not necessary, and asked instead that followers wishing to mark the occasion “recite the Mani mantra (Om Mani Padme Hum) at least a thousand times”.
Jul 7: Taiwan Would Welcome HH
A Taiwanese Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Joanne Ou, has stated that His Holiness (HH) the Dalai Lama is “welcome to come to Taiwan again to propagate the Buddhist teachings… at a time of convenience for both sides”. In a message on his birthday the Tibetan spiritual leader expressed his hope that, “as the political scenario changes, it may be that I’ll be able to visit you in Taiwan again soon”.
Jul 7: Tibetans Forced into CCP
Tibetans are being forced into joining the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) in greater numbers as membership becomes “a requirement for social advancement” and “a gateway to work for young Tibetans, who have been increasingly restricted in job opportunities”. Researcher, Shidey Dawa, believes that forcing Tibetans to join the CCP and renounce their beliefs is a “communist government strategy to gradually win Tibetans’ loyalty by making them lose their core identity”.
Jul 7: US Support for Tibet and India
The United States (US) Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs has extended birthday congratulations to His Holiness (HH) the Dalia Lama and thanked India “for hosting HH and Tibetans in freedom since 1959.” US House Speaker, Nancy Pelosi, meanwhile described the Tibetan spiritual leader as “a messenger of hope”, adding that a “bond of friendship… has existed between the US, the Dalai Lama and the Tibetan people for decades”.
Jul 6: Tibetans Support Indian Army
Crowds of Tibetans have come on the streets of Manali to show their support for Indian troops travelling toward the Indo-Tibetan border. In footage widely circulating online crowds waving both Indian and Tibetan flags can be seen cheering as India Army trucks pass by, reportedly on their way to border areas in Ladahk.
Jul 6: Call for Modi to Congratulate HH
Former Indian foreign secretary, Kanwal Sibal, has suggested that the Indian government signal the importance of Tibet to China by offering birthday congratulations to His Holiness (HH) the Dalai Lama. The Tibetan spiritual leader turned 85 on July 6, and Sibal believes that an official statement congratulating the HH would “indicate that India is set to re-look at the ‘One China’ policy”.
Jul 5: Anti-China Protests in Canada
Protestors have gathered outside the Chinese Consulate in Vancouver calling for the release of Canadian citizens detained in China and expressing solidarity with India amid increasing border tensions. As well as signs declaring, “We stand with India and “China against democracy”, others in the crowd flew Tibetan flags and carried posters stating “Tibet is not part of China” and “Free the Panchan Lama”.