DHARAMSHALA: The Tibet Policy Institute (TPI) today organised a conference entitled ‘Tibet and Taiwan: Prospects and Challenges’ at the College of Higher Tibetan Studies at Sarah near Dharamsala. The main participants are new recruits of the Central Tibetan Administration who are undergoing a five-month training programme at Sarah.

Addressing the conference, Kalon Dicki Chhoyang recounted the experiences of her recent visit to Taiwan and said that Taiwanese people are taking great interest in Tibetan Buddhism, human rights and social justice. She said that she was impressed by a post card made in Taiwan with a message to prime minister Mr Wen Jiaobao about the issue of Tibet.

Kalon Dicki said the conference organised by TPI, which involves exchanging of ideas and communication between the Taiwanese and Tibetans, would immensely help in promoting and improving better understanding about the issue of Tibet.  She said the Taiwanese people can play an important role in facilitating greater understanding of the issue of Tibet in the Chinese society.

Kalon Dicki also gave a comprehensive account of the current situation in Tibet in light of the spate of self-immolation incidents, and the efforts made by the CTA to dialogue with the Chinese government to resolve the issue of Tibet.  

She said the critical situation prevailing in Tibet could be resolved if the Chinese government initiate a simple gesture of goodwill by putting an end to its repression of religious freedom and patriotic education campaign forcing Tibetans to denounce His Holiness the Dalai Lama in Tibet.

Mr Thubten Samphel, Director of the Tibet Policy Institute, said the conference aims to share knowledge and perspectives of Taiwanese and Tibetan researchers on China and the issue of Tibet.

The speakers at the conference include Prof. Tseng Chien Yuan of Chung Hua University,  Mr Tenzin Norbu, Head of the Environment and Development Desk of Department of Information & International Relations, Mr Cheng Chi Chu and Ms Julie Coudere, PhD students of National Taiwan University. They spoke on issues ranging from democratic governance in Taiwan, transformation of Democratic Progressive Party, challenges for cross-strait relations, and Taiwanese and French support for the issue of Tibet. Later in the afternoon, Mr Thubten Samphel gave a presentation on Geo-political Importance of Tibet. The talks were moderated by officials of the Tibet Policy Institute.