New Delhi — A coalition of more than 140 global Tibet-related organisations has submitted a letter to the Bhutanese embassy in New Delhi on Tuesday, calling on the Bhutanese government to rectify its use of the Chinese word "Xizang", to revert to the correct name, Tibet, and cease using the word "Xizang" in all future Tibet-related communications.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade of the Royal Government of Bhutan announced on March 17, 2025 that Tibetan artists would perform at the Royal Institute of Management in Thimpu, Bhutan, on March 18 and 19, 2025. In their press release, they used the Chinese word "Xizang" for Tibet, a Chinese colonial term that China attempts to erase the name “Tibet” and replace it with the Chinese name "Xizang".
Following this announcement, many Tibetans, including Tibetan MPs and educated people, expressed their disappointment with the Bhutanese government and called on it to use the word ‘Tibet’ instead of the Chinese word ‘Xizang’ to refer to Tibet.
The letter addressed to Lyonpo D. N. Dhungyel, Foreign Minister of Bhutan, signed by 144 Tibet and Tibet-support organisations, was delivered by the members of Tibet Advocacy Alliance - India includes Sonam Tsering from the Tibetan Youth Congress (TYC), Geden Tsepphel from the National Democratic Party of Tibet (NDPT)and Tenzin Lekden from Students for a Free Tibet-India (SFT), Dr Lobsang Yangtso from the International Tibet Network (ITN) and Tenzin Nyima from the Tibetan Women's Association (TWA) to the Royal Embassy of Bhutan in New Delhi on March 25, 2025.
Dr Lobsang Yangtso, coordinator of Tibet Advocacy Alliance - India, told TPI: “We went to the Bhutanese embassy in New Delhi to submit a letter on March 25, signed by 144 international organizations, calling on the Bhutanese government to rectify its use of the Chinese word ‘Xizang’ instead of correct name; Tibet, and urge them to stop using the word ‘Xizang’ in all future communications related to Tibet.”
"In the letter, it is written that Bhutan uses 'Xizang' instead of Tibet in English, we Tibetans protest the Chinese government's use of Xizang, as the CCP's aim is to eliminate Tibet from the international scene, which is detrimental to Tibet,” she explained.
The letter states, "We are writing on behalf of a coalition of over 140 global Tibet-related organisations, representing the collective voice for the Tibetan people and their struggle for freedom. We are contacting you today to raise the important matter of how the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Bhutan has represented Tibet on the Ministry's on March 17, 2025."
"The recent post refers inaccurately to Tibet by the name "Xizang". As a close neighbour with a shared border and a long rich history of cultural and religious exchange with Tibet, the terminology that the Government of Bhutan uses in this matter carries significant weight. Not only is the name 'Xizang' inaccurate when describing Tibet, but it is also a highly politicised term that the occupying Chinese government is promoting as a "tool of imperial erasure",? and its use undermines the distinct historical and cultural identity of Tibet," it added.
"The use of the term "Xizang" is problematic for several reasons. It is a highly politicised term that the Chinese government is promoting on the international stage as it seeks to tighten control of Tibet. The term is rejected by Tibetans because it erases their distinct history, language and way of life," the letter declared.
The letter states, "The effect of using the name "Xizang" instead of "Tibet" is to endorse a proactive campaign by the Chinese government to colonise Tibet and systematically erase its culture and heritage. These policies have been expressly condemned by UN human rights experts as an attempt "to assimilate Tibetans into majority Han culture, contrary to international human rights standards".
The letter also explains the historical religious, cultural and commercial links between Tibet and Bhutan. It points out that “the shift to ‘Xizang’ is contributing to the erosion of Tibetan identity”.
"Chinese government policy in Tibet is overwhelmingly condemned by Tibetans as a cultural genocide, affecting Tibetans from every walk of life, including children. As a country committed to democracy and the rule of law, the Bhutanese government's language choices have significant implications, and using the term 'Xizang' instead of 'Tibet' exacerbates China's cultural genocide," the letter said.
"We respectfully call on the Bhutanese government to rectify its use of "Xizang", revert to the accurate name, Tibet and halt any further use of "Xizang" in all communications. This would demonstrate respect for the historical and cultural ties between Bhutan and Tibet, and uphold the importance of preserving Tibet's unique identity," the letter concluded.
