Dharamshala: Sikyong Penpa Tsering of the Central Tibetan Administration interacted with nuns from Bakhang Dhondup Dhing Monastery at Kashag Secretariat in Gangchen Kyishong on 22 November 2022.

Sikyong emphasised the role of exiled Tibetan as a representative and spokesperson of Tibetans inside Tibet during his address to a group of about 50 nuns. He said, “we have to be well informed about our cause and eloquent enough to advocate it properly” to the visiting nuns while briefing the 16th Kashag’s consistent efforts in informing the world on China’s legitimacy over Tibet. “The 17th Point Agreement is the only agreement signed between Tibet and China which also materialised under coercion. And, any treaty produced under duress between two states is invalidated according to the international law that applies to everyone,” added Sikyong.

“Similarly, China constantly force other nations to utter ‘Tibet is a part of China’ to seek legitimacy. Despite China’s reiteration, the legitimacy, however, can only be drawn from His Holiness the Dalai Lama and the general Tibetan people. Therefore, we have urged countries or governments who synced to China’s hest while supporting dialogue between His Holiness (or His representative) and China in resolving Sino-Tibet conflict to withdraw their statement,” said Sikyong. He further recommended the books by Dr Michael van Walt Praag and Prof. Lau that plainly depict Tibet’s independent status before China’s annexation.

Before concluding his talk, Sikyong also apprised the group of China’s separation of Tibetan students from their parents to disconnect them from Tibetan culture under the guise of one China Policy.