New York — Tibetan Youth Congress's General Secretary Sonam Tsering met with Chinese Ambassador Geng Shuang, Deputy Permanent Representative of China to the UN, quizzes him on the colonial-style boarding schools in Tibet and policies aimed at erasing Tibetan identity and culture. Also asked why China was reluctant to enter into dialogue with His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama, he replied: “The door is always open”.
Sonam Tsering, Secretary General of the Tibetan Youth Congress (TYC), took part in a high-level panel discussion entitled “Global Peace Summit” at the United Nations headquarters in New York, USA, attended by youth delegations from 70 countries. This high-level debate was organised by the Permanent Mission of Pakistan to the United Nations and the Global Peace Chain Foundation from December 10 to 11, 2024.
The topics of the Panel Discussion are on Youth Leadership and Global Diplomacy: A Collaborative Approach to Conflict Resolution and other topics of the two-day summit are the Role of Women in Politics and Peace building, the Politics of Climate Change and the Role of AI in Maintaining International Peace and Stability.
During the session, Sonam Tsering made several attempts to question China's Deputy Permanent Representative to the United Nations, but unfortunately, he wasn't given the opportunity. However, at the end of the round table, he managed to speak with Ambassador Geng Shuang, China's Deputy Permanent Representative to the United Nations for four to five minutes and he raised on urgent human rights issues and the genocidal cultural policies in Tibet.
The TPI reached out to Sonam Tsering and asked him a few questions about his recent meeting with Chinese ambassador Geng Shuang and his participation in the Global Peace Summit at the United Nations headquarters in New York, USA.
TPI: How did you get the opportunity to attend the Global Peace Summit?
Sonam: I discovered this opportunity through a friend and decided to apply. Although I wasn't selected for a fully or partially funded delegate spot, I was chosen as a self-funded delegate. After careful consideration, I decided to participate and represent Tibet. With many influential youth delegations from around the world attending, I thought it's crucial to amplify the Tibetan voice.
TPI: Who organised the Summit and you are selected as Tibetan representative right?
Sonam: The event is jointly organised by the Global Peace Chain and the Permanent Mission of Pakistan to the United Nations. I submitted my application representing Tibet, and I am honored to have been selected as a Tibetan delegate.
TPI: What are the main themes of the conference?
Sonam: The topic of the High-Level Panel Discussion in UN headquarters is on Youth Leadership and Global Diplomacy: A Collaborative Approach to Conflict Resolution, and other topics of the two-day summit are the Role of Women in Politics and Peace building, the Politics of Climate Change and the Role of AI In Maintaining International Peace and Stability.
TPI: Although you were not given the opportunity to ask questions during the session, but you manage to meet the Chinese representative and others after the conference. What did you tell them about Tibet? What was their response?
Sonam: I repeatedly requested the organisers for a chance to ask questions during the session, but unfortunately, I wasn't given the opportunity. However, I managed to speak with the Chinese representative for almost four to five minutes after the session. I expressed my concerns about the colonial-style boarding schools and policies aimed at erasing Tibetan identity and culture. I also challenged his claim that Tibet is part of China and countered his assertion that Tibetans have rights to religious practice.
Furthermore, I questioned why China is reluctant to engage in dialogue with His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama, a renowned symbol of love, compassion, and peace. On which his response was “The door is always open”. During the panel discussion, the Chinese representative emphasized the importance of implementing UN resolutions, so I asked him why China doesn't uphold the rights guaranteed in its own constitution.
I also appealed to Dr Felipe Paullier, Assistant Secretary-General for Youth Affairs, to intervene in the colonial-styled boarding schools and cultural genocidal policies in Tibet. Encouragingly, he agreed to discuss this critical matter further.
TPI: How important do you think this kind of conference is for Tibetans?
Sonam: I firmly believe it's crucial for Tibetans with expertise in their respective fields to represent Tibet at various platforms. As individual youths, we have numerous opportunities to amplify our voices. I think it's high time for our young generation to seize every available opportunity to make our voices louder and stronger.
