| |
|
Who's Online |
|
We have 48 guests online |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
Seeking change inside China |
|
|
|
|
Written by HH Tenzin Gyatso, the 14th Dalai Lama
|
|
Monday, 24 March 2008 |
A major concern of the People's Republic of China is its lack of legitimacy in
Tibet. The principal way to lend weight to their position is for the Chinese
government to pursue a policy that satisfies the Tibetan people and gains their
confidence. If we are able to achieve reconciliation by treading a path of
mutual consent, then, as I have already stated many times, I will make every
effort to win the support of the Tibetan people.
In Tibet today, due to the Chinese government's numerous actions, driven as they
are by a lack of foresight, the natural environment has been severely damaged.
And, as a result of their policy of population transfer the non-Tibetan
population has increased many times, reducing native Tibetans to an
insignifican! t minority in their own country. Moreover, the language, customs
and traditions of Tibet, which reflect the true nature and identity of the
Tibetan people are gradually fading away. As a consequence, Tibetans are
increasingly being assimilated into the larger Chinese population. In Tibet,
repression continues to increase with numerous, unimaginable and gross
violations of human rights, denial of religious freedom and the politicization
of religious issues.
All these take place as a result of the Chinese
government’s lack of respect for the Tibetan people. These are major obstacles
the Chinese government deliberately puts in the way of its policy of unifying
nationalities which discriminate between the Tibetan and Chinese peoples.
Therefore, I urge the Chinese government to bring an immediate halt to such
policies. Although the areas inhabited by Tibetan people are referred to by such
different names as autonomous region, autonomous prefectures and autonomous
counties, they are autonomous in name only; they actually have no real autonomy.
Instead, they are governed by people who are oblivious of the regional
situation, and driven by what Mao Zedong called Han chauvinism.
As a
result, this so-called autonomy has not brought the concerned nationalities any
tangible benefit. Disingenuous policies that are not in tune with reality are
causing enormous harm not only to the respective nationalities, but also to the
unity and stability of the Chinese nation. It is important for the Chinese
government, as advised by Deng Xiaoping, to seek truth from facts in the real
sense of the term. The Chinese government severely criticises me when I raise
questions about the welfare of the Tibetan people before the international
community. Until we reach a mutually beneficial solution, I have a historical
and moral responsibility to continue to speak out freely on their
behalf.
However, it is common knowledge that I have been in
semi-retirement since the political leadership of the Tibetan Diaspora has been
directly elected by the general Tibetan populace. China is emerging as a
powerful country due to her great economic progress. This is to be welcomed, but
it has also provided China an opportunity to play an important role on the
global stage. The world is eagerly waiting to see how the present Chinese
leadership will put into effect its avowed concepts of "harmonious society" and
"peaceful rise". For the realisation of these concepts, economic progress alone
will not suffice.
This year, the Chinese people are proudly and eagerly
awaiting the opening of the Olympic Games. I have, from the very beginning,
supported the idea that China should be granted the opportunity to host the
Olympic Games. I have come to know that many parliaments, individuals and
non-governmental organisations around the globe are undertaking a number of
activities in view of the opportunity that exists for China to make a positive
change. I admire their sincerity. The world should, therefore, explore ways of
investing their collective energies in producing a continuous positive change
inside China even after the Olympics have come to an end. I would like to take
this opportunity to express my pride in and appreciation for the sincerity,
courage and determination of the Tibetan people inside Tibet.
(Exceprts
from the statement of the Dalai Lama on the 49th Tibetan National Uprising Day,
March 10, 2008)
Only registered users can write comments.
Please login or register. Powered by AkoComment 2.0! |
|
Last Updated ( Monday, 24 March 2008 )
|
All logos and trademarks in this site are property of their respective owners. Opinions expressed in articles within this site are those of their owners and may not reflect the opinion of ActUpInSask.org, its staff, or its associates.
|
|
|
