Tokyo: The Japanese versions of the two reports titled “Tibet, the Dalai Lama, and the Geopolitics of Reincarnation” and “China`s Vast System of Colonial Boarding Schools Inside Tibet” co-produced by Tibet Action Institute, International Tibet Network, and Tibet Justice Center were released today at a press conference held at Shinjuku Bunka Center in Tokyo. The Japanese translation of the reports was facilitated by Hirofumi Kameda of the Dream for Children and SFT Japan committee members. Sam Yip of Japan Hong Kong Democracy Alliance facilitated the English interpretation at the event.
Representative Dr. Arya Tsewang Gyalpo of the Tibet House Japan addressed the conference where he spoke about the lack of credibility in China’s historical narrative of Tibet and said that despite the Chinese occupation of Tibet for more than 70 years, “China has not gained proper respect and legitimacy to rule Tibet because of the strong Tibetan religious and cultural identity and resilient power”. He further added, “In order to destroy and wipe out this source of Tibetan strength and unity, the CCP leadership is now vigorously implementing two of their heinous policies of eradicating the foundation of Tibetan religious institutions and depriving Tibetan children of their language and culture. These two reports carry full details of how China is interfering in Tibetan religious matters and how around one million Tibetan children are forcefully kept at the colonial boarding schools.”
The purpose of the press conference, as explained by Dr Arya, is to explain to the media, Tibet supporters, and the Japanese public the true reality in Tibet under the colonial rule of the CCP. He appealed to the gathering to voice their concerns and urged the Chinese government to refrain from meddling in Tibetan religious affairs and to free Tibetan children from the forced colonial boarding schools.
Pema Yoko of the Tibet Action Institute spoke about the pervasiveness of China to deprive the Tibetan children of their mother tongue and the cultural atmosphere to grow freely as Tibetans.
“Children as young as three to four years of age are being separated from their parents in these highly regimented Chinese government colonial boarding schools, where the main purpose is to transform Tibetan children into Chinese citizens loyal to the Chinese Communist Party”, she said and requested the Japanese media to vehemently report on this issue and bring the CCP`s crime to the notice of the Japanese people and the government.
Tsering Dorjee of the Students for Free Tibet spoke on China’s violation of religious freedom and their continuous interference in Tibetan religious matters. He requested the audience to go through the report and condemn China`s repressive policies and actions in Tibet.
The Tibet House Japan, the SFT Japan, and Tibetan Community Japan jointly organised the press conference.
Copies of the two reports were distributed to all those present at the press conference.
-Report filed by the Office of Tibet, Japan