PRAGUE: “No matter how powerful it may be, China must follow the world trend towards democracy and freedom of information,” said His Holiness the Dalai Lama during an interview to Hospodárské noviny, the largest Czech newspaper, on Monday.
“China is a huge nation with an important role to play in the world, but in order to play that role it needs the world’s trust. A closed society constrained by censorship doesn’t earn that trust,” he said.
His Holiness the Dalai Lama is currently in Prague at the invitation of the Forum 2000 Foundation established by his old friend President Vaclav Havel.
His Holiness also expressed hope that the new Chinese leader Xi Jinping would continue to work for harmony among the Chinese people and among the minority nationalities. However, the use of force and intimidation goes counter to this, he said, adding that Xi Jinping has launched a courageous movement to tackle corruption and that many of his friends say he has a more realistic way of thinking.
Speaking on the issue of Tibet, His Holiness reiterated its ecological importance in Asia, its role as the Third Pole, but pointed out that although policy may change tomorrow, damage to the environment can take decades to recover.
When the reporters asked about the effects of his visits on, for example, the Czech Republic’s trade with China, His Holiness acknowledged the importance of trade and business. However he pointed out that when the USA was deliberating whether to grant China Most Favoured Nation status, he was in favour, because it’s not appropriate to isolate a nation of 1.3 billion people.
“Trade relations are important and the Chinese want to be part of the world economic community. However, that does not mean that other countries should not stand firm on matters of principle like human rights,”His Holiness said.
To a final question about what a political leader needs to be considered successful, His Holiness answered succinctly: “The people’s trust.”
His Holiness will today attend the Forum 2000 Closing Panel and a Panel Discussion with students of Charles University on ‘Democracy, Human Rights and Religious Freedom in East Asia’ before travelling to Hanover, Germany.
