DHARAMSHALA: Major international news media yesterday covered the launch of the Central Tibetan Administration’s renewed Middle Way Approach international campaign to achieve genuine autonomy for the Tibetan people through dialogue with China.
His Holiness the Dalai Lama blessed campaign documents which were launched by Tibetan political leader Dr. Lobsang Sangay in Dharamshala.
Addressing a press conference at the launch, Dr. Lobsang Sangay said: “Our aim is to counter the efforts of Chinese officials and representatives who are misleading many around the world about what the ‘Middle Way’ is. The Middle Way is a win-win proposition which seeks genuine autonomy for the Tibetan people by straddling the middle way between repression and separation from China.” (Watch press conference)
Dr. Sangay says the new campaign also aims to persuade the international community to support the Tibetan people’s aspiration for genuine autonomy.
“There is total repression and total discrimination” in Tibet, he told reporters. “All this repression is making Tibetans more resentful of the Chinese government’s policies and towards the Chinese government and various forms of protests are taking place.”
In an exclusive interview the Reuters, Dr. Sangay said he was hopeful Chinese President Xi Jinping would resume formal talks and soften China’s handling of Tibet.
“This hardline policy has not worked. In the last 50 years it has gone through this vicious cycle of repression, resentment and protests. So it is clearly not working,” he told Reuters.
The Middle Way Approach information materials – including an interactive website, short documentary video, Social media campaign, timeline of the Tibetan struggle and FAQs – many of them available in 7 languages including Chinese – were launched. “These will make it very easy for people around the world to understand exactly what the Tibetan administration is proposing in terms of genuine autonomy,” Dr. Sangay said.
Numerous international news media including The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, The Guardian, The Financial Times, Reuters, AFP, AP, BBC, The Washington Post, as well as leading Indian media like the Times of India, Hindustan Times, NDTV covered the campaign launch. Local Indian and Tibetan media also covered campaign.
Government in Exile Seeks Tibetan Autonomy, Not Independence – The Wall Street Journal
Tibetan exiled gov’t reaffirms dialogue commitment- The Washington Post
Tibetan leader calls on China to end ‘repressive policies’- The Guardian
Dalai Lama set to renew efforts to revive Tibetan autonomy in China – South China Morning Post
Tibetan Exiled Gov’t Reaffirms Dialogue Commitment- ABC
Tibetan govt to re-launch global drive for autonomy- Times of India
Tibetan leaders launch autonomy push – Taipei Times
