Sikyong Penpa Tsering felicitates Taiwan Ambassador François Chih-Chung Wu at the latter’s office, 17 May 2024.

Dharamshala: Sikyong Penpa Tsering, the democratically elected head of the Central Tibetan Administration, recently wrapped up a significant four-day visit to Paris, where he engaged with important stakeholders, including MPs, government officials, policy influencers, academics, media outlets, and friends of Tibet in France.

Over the course of his visit, Sikyong held constructive meetings with French senators, various government officials, deputy mayors of Paris overseeing human rights and education portfolios, and City Councillor. He also held talks with Ambassador François Chih-Chung Wu, Taiwan Representative Office in France, former MP Jean-Michel Belorgey, a pioneer of the Inter-parliamentary Group for Tibet in the French National Assembly, alongside representatives from Tibetan support groups, Union Buddhist France, and media outlets.

In his interactions with the media representatives, Sikyong Penpa Tsering underscored the distinctive character of the Tibetan movement, the essence of which is deeply rooted in principles of nonviolence, dialogue, and reconciliation. He attributed this ethos to the exemplary leadership of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, highlighting the unwavering commitment of Tibetans to peaceful resistance despite enduring decades of oppression under Chinese rule.

Emphasising the agency of internal forces in countering China’s authoritarian regime, Sikyong iterated the collective struggle of Tibetans, Uyghurs, Mongolians, Hong Kongers, and pro-democracy activists in China. He urged European nations, including France, to recognise and support these movements as vital partners in fostering positive change within China and the broader region, while also reinforcing shared democratic values.

Speaking to a few key government officials as part of his visit, Sikyong asserted that Tibet, along with East Turkestan, Southern Mongolia, Hong Kong, and the pro-democracy movement in China, even Taiwanese, collectively represent internal forces actively challenging the oppressive policies of the Chinese government. By bolstering these internal forces, global community including Europe can play a crucial role in catalysing positive transformation and advancing the cause of freedom and democracy in China and beyond, he stated emphatically.

Moreover, Sikyong elaborated on his cabinet, the 16th Kashag-led strategy to advocate for Tibet’s historical independence as countermeasure against China’s distorted misleading narrative on Tibet. He highlighted the significance of this approach in adding value to the Middle Way Approach. He presented key publications elucidating Tibet’s historical independence and urged leaders to critically assess China’s claims.

Highlighting China’s increasing political intimidation and influence operations in Europe, Sikyong called for proactive measures to safeguard democratic principles against such encroachments. He emphasised the need for robust engagement and solidarity among democracies to counteract these threats effectively.

On 17 May, Sikyong engaged in discussions with Taiwan Ambassador François Chih-Chung Wu, lasting over two hours, aimed at strengthening ties between Tibetans and Taiwanese. During their meeting, Sikyong conveyed the Tibetan people’s profound admiration and goodwill toward Taiwan.

Later that same day, Sikyong paid a visit to Jean-Michel Belorgey, Former MP and founder of Inter-parliamentary Group for Tibet in the French National Assembly. Sikyong thanked the former MP for his longstanding leadership in garnering support for the Tibetan cause within the French National Assembly and explored collaborative projects commemorating His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s 90th birthday. Also present at the meeting was Marcelle Roux, longtime friend of Tibet. Sikyong next met with venerable Lama Jigme Thrile Gyatso and Antony Boussemart, Co-Presidents of Union Buddhist France.

In his final engagement on 18 May, Sikyong visited the Paris Coordinators office where he met with Tibetan support groups based in Paris, and acknowledged their enduring dedication to the Tibetan cause.

Accompanied by Representative Rigzin Choedon, Office of Tibet, Brussels, and Thupten Tsering, Coordinator for Bureau du Tibet-Paris on this visit, Sikyong Penpa Tsering fervently advocated for heightened international support for the Tibetan cause. In particular, he addressed the European leaders on the vital and pressing necessity to champion nonviolent movements and forces as that of Tibetans in nurturing stability and peace amidst the unrest in China and in mitigating its imminent future implications.

Following his engagements in Paris, Sikyong departed for New Delhi for official meetings on 19 and 20 May before departing for Dharamshala on 21 May.

Sikyong, Representative Rigzin Choedon, Office of Tibet Brussels and Coordinator Thupten Tsering, Bureau du Tibet-Paris with Ambassador François Chih-Chung Wu.

Sikyong greets former MP Jean-Michel Belorgey, a pioneer of the Inter-parliamentary Group for Tibet in the French National Assembly, 17 May 2024.

Sikyong, Representative Rigzin Choedon, Office of Tibet Brussels and Thupten Tsering, Coordinator for Bureau du Tibet-Paris with Venerable Lama Jigme Thrile Gyatso & Mr Antony Boussemart, Co-Presidents of Union Buddhist France, 17 May 2024.

Sikyong speaking to Guillaume Erner, Radio France Culture, 17 May 2024.