Paris — Sikyong Penpa Tsering of the Central Tibetan Administration visited European countries recently. In a speech he said: "Our primary responsibility is to resolve the long-standing Sino-Tibetan conflict. We must seek a resolution to the Tibet cause. Therefore, the policy of the Middle Way Approach, is our path forward."
Sikyong Penpa Tsering of the Central Tibetan Administration visited Lisbon, Portugal, Spain and France from November 13 to 17, 2024. During the visit, Sikyong met with MPs, mayors and officials of the countries. On November 13, 2024, Sikyong met with MPs Regina Bastos, Bruno Ventura, Rui Tavares and others in Lisbon, Portugal and held a series of discussions with them on the Tibet issue and related topics.
Sikyong arrived in Barcelona, Spain, on November 14, 2024, and gave a talk on the “Global Significance of the Tibetan Plateau”. The talk was organized by Casa Del Tibet Barcelona and around 50 people including Tibetans attended the talk. During his speech, Sikyong emphasized the importance of the Tibetan Plateau and Tibet's political situation for the international community. Sikyong also spoke about the importance of international advocacy and cooperation in the Tibetan freedom struggle.
In addition, Sikyong testified at a hearing of the Foreign Affairs Committee in the Catalan Parliament on November 15, 2024. During the hearing chaired by MP Francesc de Dalmases, member of the Commission of Foreign Affairs representing the Junts party, Sikyong highlighted the dire situation in Tibet and referred to the wave of self-immolations in which 157 Tibetans have sacrificed their lives in protest against the Chinese government's repressive policies in Tibet. Many of these Tibetans had never experienced a free Tibet, as they were born after the Chinese occupation, and were driven to such drastic measures by the severe oppression under Chinese rule.
On November 16, 2024, Sikyong met with French Senator Jacqueline Eustache-Brinio, President of the French Parliamentary Group for Tibet, and Julien Bachard, Mayor of Paris. Later in the day, Sikyong addressed the Tibetan community in Paris and discussed Tibet-related issues and the undertakings of the 16th Kashag.
Sikyong said the during the talk, “Our primary responsibility is to resolve the long-standing Sino-Tibetan conflict. Our charter clearly states we must seek a resolution to the Tibet cause. Therefore, the policy of the Middle Way Approach, which was proposed by His Holiness the Dalai Lama and has been unanimously approved by the Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile with broad support from the Tibetan people, is our path forward. The term ‘middle’ refers to a centred, balanced approach. Today, many world politicians are trying to implement this concept of the ‘middle way’ in line with His Holiness’ vision."
Sikyong also discussed how China, under the authoritarian rule of President Xi Jinping, is implementing a comprehensive program to forcibly assimilate ethnic minorities into the Chinese identity. Sikyong said that in Tibet, this includes the systematic attempt to eliminate the unique culture of Tibet, especially Tibetan Buddhism, by various means. He referred to the forced closure of Tibetan-language schools and the compulsory enrolment of Tibetan children in colonial-style boarding schools, all of which are aimed at eradicating Tibetan identity.
Furthermore, Sikyong specifically addressed China's interference in the recognition of reincarnated lamas through Decree No. 5 of 2007. He explained that this decree serves China's political interests and is primarily aimed at controlling the future reincarnation of His Holiness the Dalai Lama. He urged Tibetans to be more vigilant and committed than ever in the face of these challenges to protect their religion, culture and linguistic identity.
