Tokyo — The 9th World Parliamentarians' Convention on Tibet (WPCT) commenced on Tuesday in Tokyo, Japan. “The PRC's occupation of Tibet is illegal, it was never legal, and Tibetans have every right to self-determination. Therefore, I call on legislators around the world to pass laws, to recognise Tibet as an occupied land and not as provinces of China,” said Nancy Pelosi, Speaker Emerita of the US House of Representatives.
The aim of the 9th Global Convention of Parliamentarians on Tibet is to draw attention to the critical situation in Tibet, to seek international support for the Tibetan cause, and to discuss ways of resolving the conflict between Tibet and China.
The 9th World Parliamentarians' Convention on Tibet (WPCT) kicked off on June 3, 2025 in the International Conference Hall of the Japanese Parliament with 142 delegates, including parliamentarians, human rights activists, former Tibetan prisoner, researchers, writers and thinkers from 29 different countries.
Sikyong Penpa Tsering, Deputy Speaker Dolma Tsering Teykhang, DIIR Kalon Norzin Dolma, Parliamentarians, DIIR Secretary and Additional Secretary, along with Representatives of His Holiness the Dalai Lama from the offices of Tibet of the Central Tibetan Administration presented at the convention.
The inaugural session began with a welcome address by Eriko Yamatani, Chairwoman of the Japan Parliamentary Support Group for Tibet and introductory remarks by Khenpo Sonam Tenphel, the Speaker of the Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile. Followed by addresses from the Chief Guest Hon. Akiko Santo, Member of the House of Councillors, Former Speaker of the House of Councillors, Japan; Special Guest Madam Akie Abe, former first lady and wife of the late Former Prime Minister of Japan Shinzo Abe; and Rev. Chojun Ohtani, 25th Chief Abbot of the Higashi Hongwanji Temple.
Eriko Yamatani spoke of the importance of Tibetan rivers and their vital role for millions of people in neighboring countries; it is therefore important to protect them from Chinese dams and destruction. She also spoke of the one million Tibetan children forcibly placed in Chinese boarding schools and separated from their parents, culture, language and religion. “The Chinese government is not passing on Tibetan culture and language to Tibetan children. The CCP spreads misinformation about Tibet. China should allow UN organisations, independent investigations and journalists to visit Tibet and verify reality," she said.
The session featured video addresses from Nancy Pelosi, Speaker Emerita of the US House of Representatives and Michael McCaul, Member of United States House of Representative.
Michael McCaul said that The CCP can take over Tibetan land, but it cannot take over Tibetan culture or spirit. The CCP cannot suppress what the Tibetan people mean to the rest of the world. The CCP's continued pressure on the Tibetan people is unbearable.
Nancy Pelosi declared: “As representatives of the people, we must denounce human rights violations in Tibet and demand accountability. If we don't speak out against human rights abuses by the Chinese government, due to commercial interests, we lose our moral standing to challenge other nations on human rights abuses. The PRC's occupation of Tibet is illegal, it was never legal, and Tibetans have every right to self-determination. Therefore, I call on legislators around the world to pass laws and allow their own nations to recognize Tibet as an occupied land and not as a province of China.”
His Holiness the Dalai Lama sent a special message to the 9th World Parliamentarians' Convention on Tibet, which was read out by Deputy Speaker Dolma Tsering Teykhang. The session also screened of documentary 'Democracy: "The Gift of His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama to Tibet".
