London: Hon Chris Law MP, Chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Tibet, hosted a reception at the Portcullis House in the House of Commons of the United Kingdom to celebrate the Tibetan New Year of the Fire Horse on Wednesday, 4 March 2026.

Hon Kerry McCarthy, MP for Bristol East, and Hon Jessica Morden, MP for Newport East, joined the celebration and participated in the festivities alongside invited guests, including members of the Tibetan community, long-time supporters of Tibet, and friends.

In her welcome address, Representative Tsering Yangkey, Office of Tibet, London, greeted everyone and underscored the significance of the celebration being held during the 90th birthday year of His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama, which is being marked as the Year of Compassion (Ghoton).

Hon Chris Law delivered a warm address, offering insight into the APPG Tibet’s role in fostering stronger ties between the UK Parliament and the Tibetan community. Referring to the question of the future reincarnation of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, he stressed that, as the Dalai Lama himself has clearly stated, no one has the authority to interfere in this spiritual matter. Highlighting the strong relationship between the Tibetan community and the UK government, he further underscored the importance of rejecting any attempt by the Chinese Communist Party to select or impose a Dalai Lama.

Members of the Tibetan community enthralled the audience with a series of cultural performances. Traditional Nangma Toeshay, Tibetan opera singing in praise of His Holiness the XIV Dalai Lama, a special performance depicting the lifestyle of Tibetan nomads and their use of the urdho (sling), and contemporary Tibetan dance performances reflected the richness and diversity of Tibetan cultural traditions, drawing loud applause from the audience.

Kate Saunders of Free Tibet, serving as the Secretariat of the APPG Tibet, began the formal part of the celebrations by reading extracts from a statement by Tibetans inside Tibet (translated into English). The statement had been emotionally read by former Tibetan political prisoner Ngawang Sangdrol during the Long Life Prayer Offering to His Holiness the XIV Dalai Lama in Dharamshala last month. Kate Saunders also noted that the celebration of Tibetan Losar in the UK Parliament is likely unique among European parliaments.

Representative Yangkey expressed her appreciation to the Members of Parliament by offering them traditional Tibetan khatags.

The annual hosting of Tibetan New Year celebrations in the UK Parliament by the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Tibet reflects continued recognition of the relevance and significance of Tibet’s peaceful culture in the modern world.

On behalf of the Tibetan community, Phuntsok, Chairperson of the Tibetan Community in Britain, expressed his gratitude to Chris Law MP for hosting the celebration and for his continued support for Tibet. He also thanked the Members of Parliament and all invited guests for making the evening special and memorable with their presence.

The Office of Tibet, London helped coordinate the event.

– Report filed by Office of Tibet, London