Contact is taking a holiday!

Contact is taking a break after 25 years of bringing you news of Tibet and Tibetan issues. We are celebrating our 25 years by bringing you the story of Contact and the people who have made it happen, and our archive is still there for you to access at any time, and below you can read the story of Contact, how it came into being and the wonderful reflections of the people who have made it happen over the years.

When and how Contact will re-emerge and evolve will be determined by those who become involved.

Tibetan Headlines

Aug 7: Tunnel Completed

The Bukamu Tunnel, the 37th tunnel of the Lhasa-Nyingchi railway project currently under construction in Tibet, has been completed. The tunnel is located in Miling County and is 9,240 metres long, and 3,100 metres above sea level. Chinese state media Xinhua says the railway is expected to be completed in 2021 and that 75% of its length will consist of bridges and tunnels.

Aug 6: Change for Kashmir

Indian-administered Kashmir has lost its special status which guaranteed autonomy for the Muslim-majority state and recognised the unstable situation there, prompting fears of unrest. Pakistan has condemned the move as illegal and has committed to counter it. The Indian Government has announced that Kashmir will be split into two, with Ladakh administered separately. Ladakh is home to many Tibetans and the area has strong historical links with Tibet.

Aug 6: Cash Incentive

Cash rewards are being offered by the authorities in the Tibet Autonomous Region (TAR) in return for reporting “illegal online content” reports the Dharamshala based Tibetan Centre for Human Rights and Democracy. Up to 300,000 yuan [US$ 44,000 / £35,000] is offered for reports of the use of network communication tools to jeopardise Chinese authority; dissemination of information is banned, justification for these measures includes anti-terrorism laws.

Aug 5: Lawyers Barred

Tashi Wangchuk, the Tibetan language advocate currently serving a five-year jail sentence in Donchuan prison in Amdo [Chinese: Qinghai], has been denied a visit from his lawyers. Liang Xiaojun and Lin Qilei intended to visit Wangchuk to discuss his appeal but were told that because Wangchuk does not accept he has committed a crime he is classed as “unco-operative” and will not be allowed visits from his lawyers.

Aug 3: US Delegations in Dhasa

Sikyong Lobsang Sangay, President of the Central Tibetan Administration, welcomed a six member United States Congressional delegation to Norbulingka Institute, Dharamshala. The delegation is led by Chairman David Price and Vice-chair Vern Buchanan of the House of Democracy Partnership. During their two day stay in Dharamshala they are scheduled to meet HH the Dalai Lama and interact with the Kashag (Cabinet).

Aug 2: The Dalai Lama – Scientist

A new feature length documentary The Dalai Lama - Scientist will be world premiered during the 76th Venice International Film Festival. “We are thrilled to be able to share the fascinating and unexpected story of the Dalai Lama and science, in a way that no one has ever seen it before,” said Dawn Gifford Engle, the film’s director and writer. Click here to watch the trailer.

Jul 31: Financial Support

Two of the Central Tibetan Administration’s (CTA) core initiatives, Gangjong Bank (TibFin) and Tibet Corps, have been given a major boost during a visit by CTA delegates to the United States and Canada. 55 investors pledged a total of $1 million towards the initiatives, with many more expressing interest. The two projects provide capital, financial and education support to Tibetan entrepreneurs.

Jul 30: Early Release

Yonten Rabgye, a nomad from Chigdril (Chinese: Jiuzhi) county in Golog (Guoluo) has been released early from prison for good behaviour and hard work in prison, reports Radio Free Asia. He had served four years of his six year sentence which he was given for accessing news reports by foreign broadcasters. He was escorted home by police on July 26. He is reported to be in poor health.

Jul 30: Villagers Detained

Tibetan villagers living in Palyul (Chinese: Baiyu) county in Kardze (Chinese: Ganzi) were beaten by armed police when their homes were searched, revealing displays of photos of HH the Dalai Lama around the time of His Holiness’s birthday, while others were detained for performing public prayers for His Holiness’s long life, reports Radio Free Asia.

Jul 30: Collaborative Events

The University of Westminster, UK, and Tibet Forum-JNU, collaborated over two events, Challenges faced by Tibetan Youth in Exile, held on July 19-20 in Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) and Centrality of the Marginalised: Tibet, China and India, a conference held on July 22 in the India Habitat Centre, both in New Delhi. Experts, activists and academics were brought together with students attending from different universities in India.

Jul 29: $100m Donation

Denny Sanford, 83, a United States banking billionaire, has donated US$100 million (£81 million) to the University of San Diego, saying he was inspired by the wisdom of HH the Dalai Lama, who he met in 2017. He wants to fund scientific research on empathy and compassion at the university. Mr Sanford is worth an estimated $2.6 billion (£2.1 billion).

Jul 26: Discussion

A delegation from Taiwan’s ruling party - the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) - visited HH the Dalai Lama at his residence to wish him good health, a happy birthday and to discuss common interests and challenges in regard to relations with China. The Taiwanese politicians suggested sustained ties and exchange between various minorities who suffer under China’s rule or threats. The delegation also visited the leadership of the Tibetan exile government.

Jul 26: Speaking up for Tibet

Mkhuleko Hlengwa, a South African Member of Parliament has called on his government to do more for Tibet, citing China’s human rights violations imposed on Tibetans. Giving a five-minute speech in Parliament and wearing a Tibetan shirt, Mr Hlengwa demanded that his government prioritise human dignity, freedom, and justice before economic ties with China who is S Africa’s largest trading partner.

Jul 25: Reciprocal Access for UK?

The process to pass a bill in the British Parliament which would deny access to the UK for any Chinese official who blocks travel to Tibet by British citizens, has been kicked off. Conservative Party MP Tim Loughton, Chair of the All Party Parliamentary Group for Tibet, submitted the bill which is similar to the one passed in the United States earlier this year.

Jul 24: Top Student

Tenzin Dawa Thargay, a Tibetan student in the United States is one of 58 who have been awarded the Phi Kappa Phi Fellowship 2019 by the Honour Society of Phi Kappa Phi. The award is America’s oldest and most selective collegiate honour spanning all academic disciplines; Thargay will receive a fellowship worth US$8,500 to enable him to pursue a master’s degree at a top university.