CANBERRA: A Tibetan Parliamentarian delegation led by Speaker Mr Penpa Tsering and three other members of the Tibetan Parliament Mr Thupten Lungrig, Ven Geshe Namdak Tsukphue and Mr Sonam Gyaltsen successfully concluded its visit to Melbourne and Victoria in Australia from 28 to 30 August.
During their visit to Victoria, the delegation highlighted the Central Tibetan Administration’s efforts to resolve the issue of Tibet through Middle Way policy, current situation inside Tibet, preservation of Tibetan religion and culture. The Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile reiterated its willingness to engage with the Chinese Government for dialogue. The visit received wide media coverage.
Speaker Mr Penpa Tsering also sat for an hour-long interview with ABC News which was further extended to recording of a Tibetan community event on 29 September. Later that evening, the delegation met with the Victorian Tibetan Community. The delegates gave talks about Middle Way Approach, current situation in Tibet and Shugden amongst other topics.
Amongst other agenda for the visit the delegation had interactive dialogue with younger generation of Tibetans, as young as 12 years old, living in Australia. The community conducted Q&A session for the delegation by the children and young adults which was first of its kind in Australia. (ABC report)
On 30 August, the Tibetan Parliamentarians attended a meeting with Chinese scholars, representatives from local Tibetan Women’s And Friends Association (TWAFA). The meeting was presided over by co-presidents, Mrs. Nawang Choden and Mr. Frank Ruan Jie for the Chinese Tibetan Friendship association.
Speaking at the meeting, Mr Jie spoke on the historical ties between Tibet and China and his support for the Middle Way Approach proposed by His Holiness the Dalai Lama. He also highlighted the need to resolve the issue of Tibet through dialogue. Mrs Choden expressed her personal grief over the atrocities committed by the Chinese Government against Tibetans in Tibet.
During the meeting, the Chinese scholars spoke strongly about the need to restore peace in Tibet. They expressed their opinion that the Tibetan leadership has better prospects to resolve the issue of Tibet if they engage in dialogue with democratic entities in China rather than the hardliners in the Chinese Communist Party. Amongst the scholars present was Mr Yi, a professor of political science at a University in Western Australia.
Mr Wu urged Tibetans to refrain from self immolations which could be against the very nature of peaceful and compassionate Tibetan Buddhist belief. He advised that their life could have been better spent on promoting their cause of freedom by strengthening their resolve by being alive. He further stated that each Tibetan life is invaluable considering the need to preserve Tibet as a nation. Other Chinese speakers also spoke in support and protection of Tibet’s environment, culture and religion, which they said would benefit not only Tibetans but rest of the whole world.
The Office of Tibet, Canberra, facilitated this important visit by the Tibetan Parliamentarians in Australia.