Sikyong Penpa Tsering during the meeting with French Senators.

Paris: During his address to French senators in Paris on Wednesday, Sikyong Penpa Tsering, head of the Central Tibetan Administration, called on France and the broader free world to recognise Tibetans, Uyghurs, Hong Kongers, and Chinese pro-democracy movements as partners in driving positive change within China.

Sikyong Penpa Tsering, who had just concluded his tour across Western Europe, commended President Macron’s decision to meet Sikyong, citing it as a bold assertion of strength against China’s influence.

Sikyong urged other European leaders to follow President Macron’s example, emphasising that principled actions could pave the way for constructive engagement with China. He and President Macron had met during the Legion of Honour ceremony in Paris on 30 April, where former Minister André Gattolin, a staunch supporter of Tibet, was honoured. In their exchange, Sikyong implored President Macron not to forget Tibet amid broader geopolitical considerations.

Upon arriving in Paris, Sikyong’s first engagement on Wednesday was with the French Senate, where he addressed senators Jacqueline Eustache Bruno, Else Joseph, Marie Mercier, Marie Pierre Richer, Olivier Rietmann, and Anne-Marie Nédélec, all members of International information group on Tibet. They were accompanied by assistants Marina de Laplagnolle, Virginie Muneret, and Thierry Munier, the group’s secretary.

In April last year, President of the International information group on Tibet, Senator Eustache-Brinio, along with Senators Joseph and Rietmann, led a four-member Senate delegation to the Central Tibetan Administration in Dharamshala.

“We urge all democratic nations to view us not as victims, but as partners in driving positive change in China. Achieving meaningful change in China requires both internal and external efforts. In this context, we Tibetans, Uyghurs, Hong Kongers, Chinese pro-democracy activists, and even Taiwanese, represent the internal forces,” Sikyong Penpa Tsering told the senators.

During their two-hour discussion, Sikyong discussed parliamentary initiatives on some of the most pressing issues facing Tibet. In particular, he urged the French Senate to take a definitive stance on the reincarnation of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, similar to the stance taken by the US government, rejecting any interference from the Chinese government in this purely religious matter.

Sikyong further informed the senators on the yearlong global celebration of His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s 90th birthday, which will feature events from 6 July 2025, to 6 July 2026. He proposed that the Senate parliamentary friendship group take the lead in organising special events celebrating His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s message of peace, nonviolence as part of the yearlong festivities.

The senators received the proposal with great enthusiasm and assured to plan events for the special occasion. The meeting concluded with Sikyong urging the senate friendship group to pursue tangible initiatives as an outcome of their discussions.

Sikyong was accompanied by Representative Rigzin Choedon Genkhang, Office of Tibet, Brussels; Tibetan Parliamentarian Thupten Gyatso; Thupten Tsering, Coordinator’s Office Paris and staff Jigme Dorjee.

The next day, on 16 May, Sikyong kickstarted a marathon of meetings first with Jean-Luc Roméro, Deputy Mayor of Paris, responsible for human rights, as well as with Geneviève Garrigos, Councilor, Patrick Bloche, Deputy Mayor of Paris in charge of Education.

In these meetings held at the city hall, Sikyong engaged in forward-looking discussions on future prospects of collaborative efforts, and underscored that now more than ever, France must continue to demonstrate strength, as exemplified by President Macron’s meeting with him at the Legion of Honour ceremony last month. He advocated for a nonviolent approach to counter China, suggesting that reducing economic dependence on China and taking strategic economic measures are the most pragmatic nonviolent ways to confront China.

Sikyong also visited Institute of Oriental Languages & Civilisations (INALCO) where he addressed a select group of students with background in International relations in the presence of the President Jean-François Huchet and vice president Delphine Allès on the Geo-political significance of Tibet. Sikyong concluded his daylong engagement with a closed door meeting with relevant government officials. On the sidelines, Sikyong also gave media interview.

Sikyong Penpa Tsering with Senators Jacqueline Eustache Bruno, Else Joseph, Marie Mercier, Marie Pierre Richer, Olivier Rietmann, and Anne-Marie Nédélec.

Sikyong Penpa Tsering with Senators Jacqueline Eustache Bruno, Else Joseph, Marie Mercier, Marie Pierre Richer, Olivier Rietmann, and Anne-Marie Nédélec.

Sikyong Penpa Tsering during his address at INALCO.

Sikyong Penpa Tsering during his address at INALCO.

Meeting with Mr Jean-Luc Roméro, Deputy Mayor of Paris, responsible for human rights.

Meeting with Mr Jean-Luc Roméro, Deputy Mayor of Paris, responsible for human rights.

Meeting with Meeting with Geneviève Garrigos, Councilor, and Patrick Bloche, Deputy Mayor of Paris in charge of Education, Paris City hall.

Meeting with Meeting with Geneviève Garrigos, Councilor, and Patrick Bloche, Deputy Mayor of Paris in charge of Education, Paris City hall.