Frankfurt: The Tibet Bureau in Geneva organised a two-day symposium from 19 to 20 July 2025 titled “Together for Freedom: A Joint Action Seminar in Europe” in Frankfurt, Germany, in the presence of Representative Thinley Chukki and featuring Taiwanese Representative to Germany Hsieh Chih-wei’s message of felicitation.

This seminar, coordinated by the Chinese Liaison Officer Sangay Kyab, was attended by members of different Chinese organisations from various countries, Uyghurs, Hongkongers, and Southern Mongolians. Central Tibetan Administration’s Chinese Liaison Officer for Australia, Dawa Sangmo, also participated in the seminar.

During the inaugural on 19 July, Representative Thinley Chukki delivered an opening remarks, stating, “His Holiness the Dalai Lama has championed the Tibet cause for over 70 years, and all of us have been striving to preserve our language, culture, and religion. Today marks the beginning of the two-day Joint Action Seminar. We encourage open dialogue and hope to unite in organising future initiatives. I’m glad you all accepted the invitation from our Chinese Liaison Officer to participate. I look forward to meaningful discussions over the next two days and to continued progress in our joint efforts.”

In the message sent by Ambassador Hsieh Chih-wei, its is written that, “After enduring decades of trials and adversity, the Tibetan people have preserved their rich national culture with unwavering strength. Though remote in geography, the Tibetan people have never stood alone—rising as a symbol of freedom, honoured and admired by countless hearts around the world.”

The theme of the first session on 19 July was the question of the reincarnation of the Dalai Lama and the current situation of Tibet, chaired by Liao Tianqi. This session was participated by Chairman of the Southern Mongolian Great Khural Xi Hai Ming, Huang Yi Cheng, Chinese Liaison Officer Dawa Sangmo, and Chinese Liaison Officer Sangay Kyab.

Sangay Kyab addressed the issue of His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s reincarnation through seven key points, covering the tradition of Tibetan reincarnation system, His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama’s statements, the question of who holds legitimate authority over the system, PRC’s official stance, views of Chinese scholars and officials, the international stand, and concluding remarks. He firmly concluded that the sole authority over His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama’s reincarnation lies with His Holiness himself, not with any external force. The responsibility for recognition rests with the Ganden Phodrang as is unequivocally reaffirmed in His Holiness’ statement issued recently, in consultation with reverent Tibetan religious heads and senior lamas, as well as the traditional dharma protectors, in accordance with centuries-old customs.

Liao Tian Qi, Vice-President of the Peace Committee of PEN International and Ma Jian, President of Voice of Europe, made presentations during the second session on Tibet and China in the evolving global order, followed by presentations from Pan Yong Zhong, writer and editor-in-chief of the online media Voice of Europe, and Li Lan on Tibetans and Chinese under the authoritarian rule of CCP. The first day concluded with a final session on discussing significance of the joint action of the Tibetans, Chinese, Hong Kongers, Uyghurs, and Southern Mongolians. It was participated by Rahima Mahmit, Executive Director of the Organisation to Stop the Uyghur Genocide and Advisor to the Inter-Parliamentary Alliance for China Policy; Xi Hai Ming, Chairman of the Great Hural of Southern Mongolia; and Huang Yi Cheng, Member of the German Akel Springer Freedom Foundation, Chinese Representative of the World Freedom Conference, and Special Researcher of the Civic Power Think Tank.

The second day, the participants discussed on building a framework for joint action and adopted a unanimous resolution declaring:

• they strongly opposes the Chinese government’s interference in the issue of the reincarnation of His Holiness the Dalai Lama.
• the respect for the right of all ethnic groups to self-determination, as well as respect for Taiwan’s sovereignty.
• they strongly oppose the Chinese government’s persecution of dissidents, human rights activists, other activists, and religious figures in China.
• unified opposition by Tibetans, Uyghurs, Southern Mongolians, Hong Kongers, and Cantonese people against CCP for its destruction of the traditional cultures and languages.
• the establishment of a joint committee for collaborating with the European Union.

Before concluding, Representative Thinley Chukki delivered a closing speech, stating that after two days of in-depth exchanges and discussions, we have decided on the consensus, for which we are very much grateful. “In the future, we will act together to work towards our common ends. In this regard, our office is ready to extend our assistance in any future collaboration,” she concluded.

-Report filed by Tibet Bureau, Geneva