Dharamshala — The Tibetan Parliament-in-exile (TPiE) on Tuesday (January 24) congratulated Mr Donald Trump, President of United States of America for being sworn in as the 45th President of the United States of America.
TPiE also expressed the hope that President Trump would encourage the Chinese government to resume the Sino-Tibetan dialogue for an amicable resolution of the issue of Tibet.
Donald J Trump, the 70-year-old Republican nominee, was elected the 45th president of the United States after securing 304 electoral votes over Clinton's 227.
Congratulating Trump at being sworn in as the 45th President, Speaker Khenpo Sonam Tenphel, on behalf of Tibetans inside and outside Tibet, said previous US Presidents have met the spiritual leader the Dalai Lama and encouraged the Chinese government to resume the Sino-Tibetan dialogue.
"Following China's invasion of Tibet, the people and the government of the USA have been strong supporter of the non-violent struggle of Tibet. The landmark Tibetan Policy Act, 2002 was passed in the US Congress to support the aspirations of the Tibetan people to safeguard our distinct identity," Speaker said in the letter.
"Moreover, in 2007 His Holiness the Dalai Lama was conferred with the US Congressional Gold Medal in recognition of his advocacy of religious harmony, non-violence, and human rights throughout the world and for his efforts to find a peaceful solution to the Tibet issue though dialogue with the Chinese leadership," he said.
"The situation inside Tibet under the Chinese government's intensive political repression continues to remain grim and alarming despite China's lofty claims of having liberated and develop Tibet for the past 66 years. Since 2009 over 145 Tibetans in Tibet have resorted to self-immolation in protest against China's rule in Tibet, calling for freedom in Tibet and the return of His Holiness the Dalai Lama to Tibet," he added.
"Successive Presidents of the United States have met with His Holiness the Dalai Lama and encouraged the Chinese government to resume the Sino-Tibetan dialogue. We are confident that under your presidency as well, the United States will continue this longstanding tradition and will re-energise the international effort to resolve the issue of Tibet amicably with China based on the Middle Way Approach," he concluded.
Sikyong Dr Lobsang Sangay also congratulated Trump on his victory over US Presidential elections in 2016. "On behalf of the Central Tibetan Administration and the Tibetan people, I would like to congratulate you and your party's victory in the US presidential election and wish you the best for your new responsibility as the president of the great nation of United States of America," Sikyong wrote in his congratulatory letter.
"As you have promised in your victory speech, "to deal fairly with everyone" in the world community while keeping the national interest at front, we appeal to you and your Administration to use your good offices to continue your support for the peaceful resolution of the Tibetan issue through dialogue," Sikyong wrote.
Tibet was invaded by Communist China, starting in 1949, Beijing calls a "peaceful liberation". Since that time, over 1.2 million out of 6 Tibetans have been killed, over 6000 monasteries have been destroyed— the acts of murder, rape and arbitrary imprisonment, torture and cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment were inflicted on the Tibetans inside Tibet.
