Press Release:
6 November 2014
The Central Tibetan Administration condemns any repressive measures taken inside Tibet. On November 3rd, Chen Quanguo, the CPC’s Secretary for the ‘Tibetan Autonomous Region’ reportedly stated that ‘the government would severely punish officials who follow the Dalai Lama or support separatism’. Repression incites resistance and such actions will further hamper any chance of long term stability that the Chinese government is seeking in the Tibetan region.
The Central Tibetan Administration urges the Chinese government to resolve the Tibetan issue through dialogue. His Holiness the Dalai Lama and the Central Tibetan Administration have long proposed the Middle Way Approach as a mutually beneficial solution. This alternative secures basic freedom for Tibetans and respects China’s territorial integrity. Tibetans seek genuine autonomy under a single administration within the constitution of People’s Republic of China and do not seek separation. This Middle Way Approach is clearly enunciated in the official public document titled ‘Memorandum on Genuine Autonomy for the Tibetan People’ submitted to the Chinese government by the Envoys of His Holiness the Dalai Lama in 2008.
In July 2014, the Communist Party of China’s highest anti-graft authority, the Central Committee for Discipline Inspection (CCDI) announced that it will investigate Tibetan areas under Chinese control ‘with a focus on high-ranking cadres and those expecting promotions’. The anti-graft drive nationwide was spearheaded by Wang Qishan, the head of CCDI and a close associate of Xi Jinping.
The inspection in Tibetan areas led by Ye Dong Song spanned over two months and concluded on September 24th. Ye, at a meeting held on November 3rd, is reported to have presented four point suggestions, one of which states that ‘some officials have failed to take a firm political stand ’ with an emphasis on ‘neutralizing the separatists’.
During the on-going anti-graft inspection in the Tibetan region, the State Council Information Office of the People’s Republic of China and the local government of the so-called “Tibet Autonomous Region” jointly organized the “2014 Forum on the Development of Tibet” in August. During the forum, a document called “Lhasa Consensus” was publicized. Its purpose was to support the Chinese government’s claim that Tibetans inside Tibet are content with their life.
“Clearly this latest warning to Tibetan officials who revere His Holiness the Dalai Lama demonstrates that all is not well in Tibet after all” stated Kalon Dicki Chhoyang, Head of the Department of Information and International Relations of the Central Tibetan Administration.
Media contacts:
Mr. Tsering Wangchuk, Press Officer, +91- 988-272-8337