Washington DC: Office of Tibet, Washington DC, organised a celebration for the anniversary of the conferment of Nobel Peace Prize on His Holiness the Dalai Lama on December 8. It began with a welcome speech by Chinese Liaison Officer Tsultrim Gyatso, who described the gathering of around a hundred Chinese and fifty Tibetans to celebrate the Noble Prize Day as a significant event.
Following the Liaison Officer, Representative Dr Namgyal Choedup, the Chief Guest of the event, greeted the gathering and spoke about his responsibilities as the new Representative of His Holiness. He informed the gathering about his commitment to the Middle Way Approach conceived by His Holiness the Dalai Lama and the newly established Permanent Strategy Committee of the Central Tibetan Administration. Understanding the facts of history amidst the Chinese Communist Party’s manipulation and censorship are also stressed while requesting Chinese attendees to inform the truth about the Tibet issue to Chinese mainlanders. This commemoration event became the first official engagement for the newly appointed Representative.
Similarly, the Special Guest Hu Ping (chief editor of Beijing Spring) added the conferment of the Nobel Peace Prize to His Holiness the Dalai Lama during Beijing’s brutal suppression of democratic movement inside China boosted the Chinese enthusiasm. He also credited His Holiness the Dalai Lama for the conferment of the same award to Chinese fellow Liu Xiaobo and acknowledged their dedication in informing truths to the mainland Chinese people.
The subsequent addresses from the guests emphasised the collaboration between the two communities and lauded His Holiness the Dalai Lama for his lifelong efforts to advance peace and compassion. Chinese-American columnist Chen Pokong disclosed the indomitable spirit of Tibetan and Chinese despite Communist Party of China’s suppression. The chairman of the Sino-Tibet Friendship Association said Tibetans should decide their future if China became a democratic country. The former Chinese Liaison Officer Kunga Tashi also urged Chinese friends to support Tibet. The other speakers were the members of the Democratic Party of China and a Chinese feminist. President of the Executive Board member Lhawang Ngodup also spoke at the event.
The Chinese’s speakers at the commemoration were bestowed with a Thangka of Goddess Tara, and other Chinese were presented with Thangkas before concluding the event.
-Report filed by OOT Washington DC