Dharamshala: Speaking at the first-ever Mongolia-Tibet Cultural and Religious Symposium earlier today, President Dr Lobsang Sangay expressed support and solidarity with Southern Mongolia, saying that the people of Tibet and Southern Mongolia are both subjected to severe repressions under the Chinese regime.
“The gross and systematic violation of fundamental human rights and freedoms in Tibet is observed in the same severity in Southern Mongolia (Inner Mongolia). The people of Tibet and Southern Mongolia are facing political repression, cultural assimilation, economic marginalisation and environmental destructions at the hands of PRC,” the President said at the Symposium convened by Tibet Policy Institute, the official think tank of CTA here at Central Tibetan Secretariat.
“Among others, China has similar economic interests in the two resource-rich regions. Southern Mongolia, for instance, has the largest reserves of rare earths. With its heavy hands in the region, China is operating the worlds largest mine in Southern Mongolia and has dominated rare earth mining as the world’s leading producer of rare earths. Even American industries are made to rely on China for the supply of rare earth elements.”
The President said concerningly that the gravity of issues is such that it warrants global attention and support. “China’s persecution of Uyghur minorities have captured global attention, now it is time that the sufferings of the people of Southern Mongolia came to the forefront.”
“Such an opportunity will come for our Mongolian brothers and sisters but you have to be prepared to capitalise upon the opportunity when it arises,” he said, adding that both Southern Mongolia and Tibet should take inspiration from each other’s struggles and emulate them.
“In the last 60 years, especially in the 30 years, due to leadership and kindness of His Holiness the Dalai Lama and the institution of CTA, the Tibet issue has been consistently raised at the global stage. Hence, our Mongolian friends should note the importance of organising movements based on coalition and common guiding policy.”
Further on the Tibetan movement, Dr Sangay said the Central Tibetan Administration has been leading the Tibetan freedom struggle strictly based on principles of non-violence and the policy of Middle Way Approach. “His Holiness the Dalai Lama who envisioned the Middle Way Approach has himself said that he seeks only a “meaningful autonomy” for Tibet within the framework of the People’s Republic of China with the protection fo the rights of Tibetan people to exercise its language, religion, and culture.”
President Dr Sangay closed off his remarks by reaffirming the centuries-old spiritual relationship between Mongolia and Tibet and called for a greater partnership between Southern Mongolia and Tibetan people in pursuit of their freedom and basic rights.
Secretary Tsewang Gyalpo Arya, Director of Tibet Policy Institute, began by thanking the Mongolian representatives for their participation in the 8th International TSG conference.
“Our brothers and sisters from Mongolia, your participation in the 8th International TSG conference represented an unprecedented show of support and solidarity with the Tibetan cause. We deeply acknowledge and appreciate it,” he said. “Secondly, it’s indeed befitting that convening of this symposium was suggested by our friends from Mongolia. We welcome this symposium as a meaningful occasion to strengthen our centuries-old ties and build upon a new partnership in view of our common struggle for freedom.”
The Secretary observed the bond between the Mongolia and Tibet as a special relation inspired by its Priest-patron [Tib: chos-yon] relationship based on Tibetan Buddhism. More importantly, he raised the common challenges faced by the two people in light of its current political reality.
“With the shared understanding of our historical ties on both political and religious purview, we must tackle China’s uncorroborated historical distortions, upon which they make the claims of Tibet and Mongolia being a part of China since the Yuan dynasty.” As per authentic historical records, Kublai Khan declared the establishment of the Yuan Dynasty in 1271, much before it annexed the China’s southern Sung Empire.
“Yuan dynasty is part of Mongolian history, not China’s. Therefore, China’s claim on the Yuan Dynasty does not hold any ground and we must make it loud and clear” he said.
The inaugural session concluded with a vote of thanks by Tenzin Lekshay, Deputy Director, Tibet Policy Institute. Members of Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile were also in the attendance.
The daylong symposium will host three Panel discussions: Panel one on Buddhism in Tibet and Mongolia chaired by Ven. Telo Tulku Rinpoche, Honorary Representative, Office of Tibet, Moscow; Panel 2 on Mongol-Tibet Relations; Past, Present, and Future chaired by Tsewang Gyalpo Arya, Director, Tibet Policy Institute; and panel 3 on Human Rights and Ecology chaired by Tsering Tsomo, Director, Tibetan Centre for Human Rights and Democracy.
The panellists are Mr Temtselt, Chairman, Inner Mongolian People’s Party and the South Mongolian Congress, Ven. Changkya Rinpoche, Drepung Gomang, Mr. Boyantu, Member, Mongolian Society of Japan, the Japan International Intelligence Society and the Japan Modern Chinese Society, Mr. Tenzin Tsetan, Research Fellow, Tibet Policy Institute, Mr. Munkhbayar Chuluundorj, Former Secretary General, Green Party of Mongolia, Dr. Tenzin Desal, Research Fellow, Tibet Policy Institute, Dr. Olhunud Daichin, Chairman, Mongolian Liberal Union Party, the Secretary General of South Mongolia Congress, Mr. Govrud Archa, Deputy Secretary General of Southern Mongolia Congress, Mr. Tempa Gyaltsen Zamlha, Head of Environment Desk, Tibet Policy Institute and Mr. Karma Tenzin, Research Fellow, Tibet Policy Institute.