Filed by Office of Tibet, Washington DC
“Symposium on Sixtieth Anniversary of Tibetan National Uprising Day and His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s Exile” was held in Laogai Museum in Washington on 28 March, Thursday. This symposium was organized and co-sponsored by The Laogai Research Foundation, The Huaxia Liberal Union, The Princeton China Initiative, The China Dialogue, The China Democracy Party and Office of Tibet.
Professor Ming Xia moderated the symposium and introduced the audience why it’s important to organize this event. He described that the event date marks the 60th year that His Holiness land his foot in exile and Tibetans followed his step and took refuge in India. The success story of democratizing Tibetan society in exile and suggesting Middle way policy to solve Tibetan issue do need the attention of scholars and especially the attention of Chinese scholars. He welcomed Mr. Phakpa Tsering, Kalon(minister) of the security department of Central Tibetan Administration, came all the way from Dharamsala to attend this function.
A representative of His Holiness, Mr. Ngodup Tsering started by appreciating Professor Ming Xia for taking the initiative to put this symposium in action. Mr. representative described Tibetan faced tragic destruction, death toll after 1959 and culture revolution estimated to be 1.2 million. However, the success story of building democracy and preserving Tibetan language and culture in Exile is miraculous. He also mentioned in the recently released white paper, China claims that they democratized Tibet but in reality, it’s not true. When the delegations from Exile went to Tibet, China didn’t expect the respect and faith that local Tibetans had for His Holiness and Tibetan administration in Exile surpass the regime who is controlling the state. This shows who Tibetan people really follow. He also urges the participants to promote middle way policy to their friends and reach out to more Chinese to understand Middle-way.
Kalon Mr. Phagpa Tsering delivered his speech in Chinese. He emphasized how Kashag sees building Sino-Tibetan relationship and engaging such event very important. The Kashag for sending him to attend this event can tell how much the Kashag take it seriously. He then started introducing the Tibetan community in Exile and describing success in sixty years of exile. Religiously, Monasteries were built and giving facility to Thousands of monk and nuns who want to study Buddhism. Education, Thousands of students were raised and facilitated in Tibetan Children Schools and other Tibetan higher study institute. Illiteracy rate has fallen drastically. Healthcare has practiced by providing affordable hospital and healthcare professionals. Mr. Phagpa Tsering mentioned that middle way policy is a mutually beneficial strategy to solve the current existing issue and he urged the Chinese scholars to deliver middle way policy and the perception of His Holiness and Tibetan people to mainland Chinese. He also thanked the participant and organizers and said that this kind of event encourages Tibetan both outside and inside of Tibet to keep their movement.
Mr. Ilishati, president of American Uighur Federation joined the symposium and shared his feelings as well. He mentioned there were many bloodshed stories in Tibetan under red communist China and many people have sacrificed their life. Similarly, Uighurs are facing the same treatment from the same regime. Like Tibetans have exiled and left their country for sixty years, He was also forced to leave his mother and siblings. The concentration camp has kept more than a million Uighurs and everyone much come together to fight back. He urged Tibetans, Chinese, Mongolians, Uighurs come together to fight back evil Communist China.
Mr. Yan Jiaqi is perhaps the first Chinese human right activist that met His Holiness after the 1989 Tiananmen massacre happened. He shared his experience as he met HIs Holiness in Paris 30 years ago. He said he can feel the pain of Tibetans as it marks the 60th year of HIs Holiness’s exile because it marks the 30th year of his exile to the west. He strongly believes that His Holiness will be able to live 113 years old and return back to Tibet soon. He praised that His Holiness to be the most influential individual in 5000 years of history. He added His Holiness’s philosophy of compassion made him a great politician that able to see very long term future prediction. He then mentioned Middleway policy is policy reflect combining wisdom and compassion. He also emphasized that China has been in dark for 30 years and people in China will eventually realize the need for change. The change is also not far away and it will be soon.
Mr. Wang Kang the well known Chinese artist presented a framed drawing that he worked for four days to the Office of Tibet. He shared his admiration towards His Holiness and the path His Holiness went through in 60 years in exile. His drawing reflects every step that His Holiness took towards becoming the world spiritual leader since his first step in Exile.
Mr. Chen Kuide, Mr. Li Dongwei, Mr. Xia Yeliang also shared their experience of meeting with His Holiness and emphasized the importance of Chinese paying attention toward Middleway policy to solve Tibetan issue. The symposium concluded with participants enjoying their lunch at the nearby Lourial Plaza.
