Page1 H.H the Dalai lama visiteLadakh Page 2 India Declines Karmapa US Tour Page 3 Tweets to Chinese Netizens Page 4 No free-dom of press in China Page6 friend-ship society
His Holiness Tweets To China page 3...... Vol. 01, Issue 22, 30 July 2010
UK-China Tibet Talks
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Himalayans have Duty to Preserve Buddhism: His Holiness By Megan Davis, The Tibet Post
British Foreign Secretary William Hague, left, and Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi, right, answer questions from media on their meeting at Chinese Foreign Ministry in Beijing, China, Wednesday, July 14, 2010. Photo: AP
Dharamshala: British Foreign Secretary William Hague, during a meeting with his Chinese counterpart Yang Jiechi in Beijing on Wednesday 14th July, called for "autonomy and
Killing Tibet's Way of Life
Chinese military operations in Tibet. Photo: File
Dharamshala: Tibet is in a state of unrest after thousands of Han Chinese migrants, including workers, investors, merchants, teachers and soldiers, have poured into a remote part of the country. According to The New York Post, Chinese leaders see development, along with an enhanced security presence, as the key to pacifying the Buddhist dominant region. Beijing invested three billion dollars in the Tibet Autonomous Region in 2009, a 31 percent increase over 2008. Tibet's gross domestic product is ....... P 6
Dharamshala: As chair of a debate on Buddhist philosophy at a school yesterday in the Nubra Valley, Ladakh, Jammu and Kashmir, His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama emphasised the importance for laypersons, as well as monks and nuns, to actively engage with the religious tradition. Describing Buddhism as a symbol of the Himalayan people, he spoke of the duty of his audience to make use of their freedom to express their beliefs, a right that his followers in Tibet have been denied. Arriving in the region on 20th July, His Holiness the Dalai Lama was greeted by hundreds of followers who gathered on the roadside for his journey from Thoise Airport to Samtanling Monastery holding flower garlands, ceremonial white scarves and incense. Yesterday's debate was organised by Samgon Jamtse Thosamling School in Sumur, a remote hamlet in Ladakh's Nubra valley established in 1998, where there are currently 45 students learning Buddhist philosophy as well a modern skills such as computing. Discussions were followed by questions to His Holiness on how to become a genuine Buddhist in this modern era, and how religious traditions can be best upheld in the Himalayan regions. Geshe Yeshi Gyaltsen, a teacher at the school, explained that the occasion was organized in direct response to His Holiness the Dalai Lama's insistence on the responsibility of the Himalayan people to preserve Buddhist tradition, particularly in light of the difficulties faced by those in Tibet for attempting to do the same. Expressing hope
His Holiness the Dalai Lama accompanied by His Eminence the Gaden Tripa visited Samgon Jamtse Thosam School, which is a branch of Central Institute of Buddhist Studies. Photo: Northern Voice
that their event would set an example, he said "... the religious debate organised today was meant to be followed in other schools in [the] future". Increasing measures of discipline imposed on the Tibetan Government-in-exile by the Indian government sparked concern that the trip would be cancelled due to the close proximity of the region to the so-called People's Republic of China. However, permission was granted along with a warning against the Tibetan spiritual leader about
going to far in his criticisms of the Chinese regime. His Holiness traveled to Yarma Gonpo Monastery yesterday evening, after the day's events.
No Stage to Exiled Tibetans
First Khampa TV Channel Opens Tibetans protest against Chinese government Act, Dharamshala, India. Photo: TPI
Google's Censorship Row with China
By Erwin L Molier, The Tibet Post
Dharamshala: On Wednesday, Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi warned all the countries not to provide stage for "Tibetan separatists." He claimed that, "Tibet-related issues are purely China's internal affairs. He ....... P 2
TWA's Working Committee Meeting Dharamshala: At the end of the day, the practicality of doing business with one-fifth of humanity prompted Google Inc. to back down on a months-long threat to pull out of China over Internet censorship. The gaint web-company's row with Chinese media regulators has proven detrimental whilst rival Baidu Inc., China's most popular online search engine, see share prices soar. Since renewing their license with China early this month, Google seem to be falling well behind Baidu, who have reported that their profits have since doubled. Despite taking a stand against demands to limit access to sites considered politically sensitive, the 6th July saw the multinational prioritise business over principles, as they backed down to ensure a new deal with China. A loss in market shares was expected as a result of the dispute; however a catch up seems unlikely in light of the record number of customers their rivals Baidu have accumulated in the last three months. It seems that taking a moral stand was not good for business!
Photo shows archors in a studio for Tibetan news recording. (Xinhua Photo) By L. Molier, The Tibet Post
Dhasa: On Wednesday, the local Chinese authorities said that, the first satellite television broadcast in Khampa dialect with 2.4 million viewers in Tibetans was officially launches at the so called Sichuan Province in Southwest China. Head of Sichuan Provincial Radio, Film and Television Bureau He Daxin said, "After the official launch, the channel will have more programs, including a new program in both Khampa dialect
and Mandarin in order to help those who want to learn Mandarin". The channel was on a trial run since October 2009 after it was approved by the State Administration of Radio, Film and Television in May 2009. Khampa is one of the three main Tibetan dialects, besides U-Tsang and Amdho. The other two dialects are also made available on satellite channels in Tibet Autonomous Region and Qinghai Province.
The 10th Working Committee Meeting of TWA. Photo:TWA
Dhasa: 87 members from 35 regional chapters in India and Nepal on Friday have converged at Manali, India for a 5-day Working Committee Meeting. Chief Guest of Honor Rongchen Tenpey Donmey commenced the TWA 10th Working Committee Meeting held at Ram Park Forest Auditorium, Manali. The first two days will be met with brief cohort on
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His Holiness Visits Nubra Valley
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India Declines Karmapa US Tour By Megan Davis, The Tibet Post
His Holiness inaugurates newly built phodrang at Yarma Gonbo Monatery. photo Tibetonline TV By Megan Davis, The Tibet Post
Dharamsala: His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama continued his nine-day visit to the Nubra Valley, in the Ladakh region of Jammu and Kashmir, this weekend. Last Friday saw his arrival at the remote Buddhist hamlet of the Yarma Gonbo Monastery, 65 km from Samtanling Monastery, where he inaugurated a newly built Phodrang (palace of His Holiness). It was the first time he had ever visited this monastery, and in doing so he fulfilled the long-held dreams of over 7000 Buddhist devotees, to whom he orally transmitted the 'The Diamond Sutra' (dorje chotpa), a short and wellknown Maha-ya-na su-tra with emphasis on non-abidance (avoiding
mental constructs during daily life). The Dalai Lama continued on to attend a ceremony at Ladakh's oldest Dekyi Gonpa monastery, on Sunday, where he consecrated a newly established 100 foot high statue of Matreya. The highly revered Buddhist teacher Thiksey Rinpoche spoke of the significance of the statue, which cost approximately Rs. 2 chores. He said that as well as being installed in order to spread the teachings of Buddha, it also functioned to ward off misfortune and ensure His Holiness a long life. The Dalai Lama praised those involved in erecting the statue and also used the opportunity to speak of the responsibility of environment preservation in the Himalayas.
China Warned the World Not to Give Stage to Exiled Tibetans made the remark at a press conference after his talks with his British counterpart William Hague. Yang also shamelessly exaggerated that, the international community widely recognized that Tibet has always been an inalienable part of Chinese territory since ancient times." His Holiness the Dalai Lama, Tibet's exiled spiritual leader, has occasionally condemned China's "rule of terror" in Tibet and criticized it as "cultural genocide". "Some respected international organization can investigate the situation is in Tibet and the underlying cause," the Tibetan leader told reporters in Dharamshala, after deadly crackdowns taking place in all parts of Tibet in 2008 caused the deaths of more than 200 Tibetans. Yang claimed more saying, according to China's Constitution and Law on Regional Autonomy for China's Minority, Tibet adopted the system of ethnic regional autonomy. In March 1959, the Chinese government dissolved the aristocratic local government of Tibet and liberated more than 1 million serfs. And, since the democratic reforms, Tibet has made remarkable achievements in many fields that includes political, economic and culture.
He further claimed that, Tibetans have enjoyed comprehensive social progress and standard of living with proper preservation of cultural heritage. And, they have fully enjoyed freedom of speech and all rights endowed in the laws. The Tibet issue bears on China's sovereignty and territorial integrity and its' core interests, and is an internal affair of China. During the talks and the press briefing, Yang also called on China and Britain to properly handle their differences and work together in tackling global and regional challenges. He also enhanced maintaining and furthering SinoBritish relationship conforms on fundamental interests of both the countries. However, between 1949-1959 more than 1.2 millions Tibetans, including women and children, were killed or murdered in Tibet, particularly during the so called 10 year Cultural Revolution (1966-1976), which saw the mass destruction of Tibetan buildings and religious artifacts. More than 6,000 monasteries were destroyed, many of them used as target practice by Chinese artillery. A thousand years' worth of priceless Buddhist literature, religious paintings and artifacts were either destroyed, burnt and stolen.
Dhasa: The Indian government has refused Gyalwa Karmapa Ogyen Trinley Dorje, to fulfill his plans of a two-week religious tour of the United States later this month, Times of India reported on Saturday. No reasons were cited as to why permission has been denied to 25 year old leader of the Karma Kagyu School, one of the four sects of Buddhism. After His Holiness the Dalai Lama and Panchen Lama he is the most respected leader amongst Tibetans. "The Karmapa was scheduled to attend prayer sessions being organised by Karma Triyana Dharamchakra centre in Woodstock in New York that began yesterday (Wednesday), but Indian authorities refused to grant him permission to visit there," Gompa Tsering, Karmapa's secretary, has revealed. Despite the purely religious nature of the tour, the Karmapa office in Gyoto Tantric Monastery, the temporary
The 17th Gyalwa Karmapa Rinpoche attending the 75th birthday ceremony of His Holiness the Dalai lama in Dharamshala, India on 6 July 201. Photo: TPI
residence of Dorje, was informed by the Tibetan government-in-exile about Delhi's refusal to permit the foreign visit. The office of the Ministry of External Affairs has refused to comment.
Scheduled trips to Europe in May were also cancelled due to unforeseen refusal of permission from India, who cited that that the tour was too long, according to a Tibetan official.
TWA's 10th Working Committee Meeting the various activities spearheaded over the past 16 months from the Working Committee Meeting, Executives from the Central and Regional chapters. Adhere to transparency and accountability principles representatives will disclose their project and financial activities and open the floor to questions from their peers. The meeting attendees will also review and evaluate the progress of resolutions tabled during the 9th General Body Meeting (GBM). The last three days of the WCM will be spent visioning and planning, discuss the agendas that the central TWA have procured and passing new resolutions to be implemented for the next 20 months of their tenure TWA's president Kirti Dolkar Lhamo stated, "The Executive members of the regional chapters in India and Nepal has exhibited overwhelming commitments towards organizational efficiency and
strength." She also lamented saying, "It is unfortunate that our eight chapters in the USA, Europe, Australia and Taiwan could not participate in this meeting, but in an inclusive effort, we will convene an online minutes with them upon our return from Manali." The WCM will also focus on Tibetan prime ministerial election campaign. The Executive members of regional chapters of TWA have brought the sealed ballots of the mass ("Mock Election" for the Kalon Tripa, held on July 6th in 40 regions across six countries) to the 10th WCM of TWA. On July 22nd the Executive members will make an aggregate and a transparent counting of the votes in presence of the prominent members from other organizations. The central TWA will analyse the voter turnout and construct the needful assessment for the eligible voters from July 6th Mock Election. The TWA will produce a ground-
breaking short documentary film that will portray the status and preparedness of the Tibetan electorate accompanied by a detail report entitled "Mock Election and its Findings". This documentary is expected to break down the results of voter participation, signifying its implications for the upcoming final election of (the Kalon Tripa). The report will also profile all the names of the winning candidates elected from the Mock Election. The reports and the film will be launched on September 10th 2010, on the occasion of the 26th anniversary of TWA's re-founding in exile. The first WCM took place in Dharamshala in 1985, a year later after the reestablishment of the TWA in exile India. The Guest of Honor emphasized, "Tibetan women have innate leadership qualities in them and therefore should continue to be the architects of a strong and empowering Tibetan society."
PM Visits Tibetan Settlements in Shimla By Megan Davis, The Tibet Post
Dharamsala: Professor Samdhong Rinpoche, Prime Minister of the Tibetan Government in Exile, is currently visiting exile communities in Himachal Pradesh, Northern India, in order to educate Tibetan people on policies of the Central Tibetan Administration. Information on the government's financial position and the upcoming elections is being given during these public audiences. He began the nine day tour in Shimla, the capital of Himachal State on 19th July and has since been to Dholanji and Mandi to inform Tibetans on the Middle-Way Approach held by the government with regards to Tibet's future. Rather than seeking complete Independence, Tibetan officials seek 'genuine autonomy'; a moderate agenda for peaceful co-existence. Samdhong Rinpoche has also
Professor Samdhong Rinpoche, Prime Minister of the Tibetan Government in Exile. Photo: TPI
expressed the importance of academic specialization during talks with schoolchildren at the Central School for Tibetans in Shimla and
Dholanji. The Prime Minister has yet to visit Chauntara, Bir and Tashi Jong in the forthcoming days.
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His Holiness Tweets to His Holiness Schedules in Brief for the Chinese Netizens Next few Weeks By Erwin L Molier, The Tibet Post
His Holiness Tweets to Chinese and Tibetan Netizens. Photo: Designed by TPI By Megan Davis, The Tibet Post
Dhasa: His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama has become an unlikely advocate of the latest social networking craze, Twitter, through which he is making direct contact with interested Tibetan and Chinese followers. With the help of Wang Lixiong, one of China's most outspoken dissident writers and democracy activists who now resides in the US, the Dalai Lama answers ‘netizens' questions and offers his daily thoughts on the blog. With the help of advisers, His Holiness selects 10 questions from the hundreds submitted and provides answers during sessions held periodically. Queries such as his stance on Tibetan ‘autonomy' are popular, to which he has answered: "The term ‘autonomy by Tibetans' should refer to having Tibetans as the majority
and other ethnic groups as the minority [of the Tibet Autonomous Region]. If the situation were in reverse, then the word ‘autonomy' would be meaningless." Chinese authorities have not yet blocked access to the Tibetan spiritual leader's Tweets, despite expectations that they would be perceived as a supposed threat to national security. It is believed that out of his estimated 5000 followers, it is the Tibetan audience that causes the most concern for Chinese Government, despite not yet having acted upon this. Daily blogs, such as ‘Universal concern is essential in solving global problems' (July 24th), provide insight into His Holiness' philosophical and spiritual outlook on life.
Dharamshala: Tibetan spiritual leader, His Holiness Dalai Lama’s scheduled to visit Kargil has been postponed by a couple of days, rescheduled for July 2022, but the topic of his sermon is yet to be decided. As a Buddhist-dominated area he will there inaugurate a newlybuilt Buddhist statue. There is no visit to Leh or Zanskar planned for 2010. July, 2010. His Holiness Dalai Lama will visit Nubra Valley to sermon at Samstanling Monastery in Sumur, followed by a bestowal of the oral transmission of "The Diamond Sutra" (dorje chotpa) at Yarma Gonbo Monastery. Dalai Lama is later expected to lead the blessing ceremony Rabney of the new Maitreya Statue at Disket Monastery in Nubra Valley before a visit to Disket Phodran, where he will deliver a sermon on Geshe Langri Thangpa's the Eight Verses of Training the Mind (lojong tsik gyema) and Tsongkhapa's The Three Principal Paths (lamtso namsum). August, 2010. His Holiness will visit Jaspa, Himachal Pradesh, to give teachings on Atisha's Lamp for the Path to Enlightenment (jangchup lamdron). On the following day he will present the Heruka (dechok) followed by talk a on the Avalokiteshvera (chenresig). A half day visit to Manali will include a sermon on Gyalsey Thokme Sangpo's 37 Practices of a Boddhisattva (laklen
His Holiness Pointing at a large banner depicting great episodes from his life -- as a child from Kubhum county of Amdho of eastern Tibet, as a young monk, as a spiritual and political leader, as the exiled holy-man who has come to symbolize world peace, human values, religious harmony and the Tibetan freedom struggle -- he said: Photo:TPI
sodunma). A the end of the month, at the request of a group of Koreans, he will visit Dharamshala, of the same region, to give a two-day teaching on The Diamond Sutra (dorjee chotpa). September, 2010. His Holiness will address the 33rd World congress of the International Association for Religious Freedom at the Catholic Renewal Centre, Ernakulam, in Kochi, Kerala. This will be followed by the deliverance of a three day teaching on the Heart Sutra (Sherab Nyingpo) and Gyalsey Thokme
Sangpo's 37 Practics of Bodhisattva (gyalsey Laken Sodunma) in Dharamshala following a request of a group of Southeast Asians. In mid September he will be in Kargil, Ladakh, Jammu and Kashmir, to sermon at an event organized by the Kargil Community. On September 18th the Dalai Lama will be in Budapest, Hungary for two days to deliver a sermon on An Introduction to Tibetan Buddhism a public sermon on Compassion, The Art of Happiness and Avalokiteshvera.
Middle-Way Approach will Come True
Special Gifts to the US Library of Congress
His Holiness the Dalai Lama of Tibet attending his 75th Birthday ceremony held in Dharamshala, India on 6 July 2010. Photo: TPI By Megan Davis, The Tibet Post
Dhasa: Special Envoy of His Holiness the Dalai Lami, Lodi Gyari Rinpoche, has given three gifts to The Library of Congress in Washington, D.C., on His Holiness' behalf. An 18th century Thangka of the Buddha from the Paksam Trishing collection, a Mandala offering set, and a golden butter lamp were presented to Dr.James Billington, the Librarian, at an event on Saturday 17 July. During a visit to the library in February earlier this year, His Holiness expressed a wish to contribute to its collection. Gyari Rinpoche referred to the gifts given by the 13th Dalai Lama to the library 102 years ago, and spoke of how
the current presents were a means to strengthen the relationship between the Dalai Lama and the United States. Dr. Billington spoke of his thanks for the gifts and the honour he felt in receiving them, asking Gyari Rinpoche to relay his gratitude to His Holiness and to tell him he is always welcome to visit again and again. Billington said that the duty of the Library was to provide ‘the light of wisdom' to the world through access to its vast collections of knowledge, and that His Holiness's gifts symbolically represented this mission. The Library's Tibetan collection consists of nearly 13,000 volumes.
His Holiness the Dalai Lama attending to his 75th birthday Ceremony held in Dharamshala, India on 6 July 2010. Photo: TPI By YC. Dhardhowa, The Tibet Post
Dharamshala: In an exclusive interview with Malaysia's national Bernama news agency on Friday, His Holiness said that his "Middle-Way-Approach will sucess to seek genuine autonomy for all Tibetan people, and he also restated that he is not seeking Tibet indepence. "You know, I have my mantra, we are not seeking independence, and the Chinese have their own mantra, Tibet is part of China," he jibed in his usual cheery mood but instilled optimism of his long-cherished dream of a "middle
way" approach. "I believe middle path will come true. Last 60 years, the same one party system has changed, the obvious big change today is Chinese communist has changed to capitalist communist. "Thinking is changing, great possibility our middle way approach will come true. But very gradually, very slowly, If I remain alive for the next 10 to 15 years, I can see, if I die tomorrow, I can't see the change" he said. "Tibetan is not an issue of Dalai Lama institution, it's about the well-being of
six million Tibetan people and their rights. "So long as these rights do not materialise, then this movement will remain, whether I am alive or not. Important is Buddhism and Tibetan culture, not the institution of Dalai Lama," he said. He said a notable success of the Tibetan movement in exile was the preservation of the 13th century Buddhism teachings, Tibet's ancient culture and its language -- which remained as pillar for the survival of the entire Tibetan community outside Tibet.
TPI INTERNATIONAL 4 German Chancellor Merkel's Visit Further Crackdown on Press Freedom in China China to Enhance Economy 30 July , 2010 Dharamsala
The Tibet Post
"China has shown it's faith in the Euro and we are committed to strengthen the currency". At present, China is planning to go green, and Germans are the most advance in these fields. They also planned to carry out new cooperation on electric vehicles, wind energy and solar energy, not only to benefit the two but recover the current global economy.
Germany's Chancellor Angela Merkel (L) and China's Premier Wen Jiabao address members of a German-Chinese dialogue forum in the Great Hall of the People in Beijing July 16, 2010. photo: Reuters By Erwin L Molier, The Tibet Post
Dharamshala: German Chancellor Angela Merkel has arrived in China for a four day official visit and to mark a new camaraderie between the two countries. China finally erased the sour gnaw for Germany, when German welcomed His Holiness Dalai Lama to Berlin Chancellery in 2007. Adrienne Woltersdorf, head of Deutsche Welle's Chinese Service quote, "The relations between China and Germany haven't been that stable in the last two years". But, this visit to Beijing is expected to bolster economic knot between the
two countries. She was received with military honor before the talk and expected to meet Chinese President Hu Jintao. Germany is the biggest European trading company for China, summing up to more than a quarter of the trade between China and the European Union according to 2009 Chinese statistics. Now, the two countries have linked ten cooperation agreements in Beijing to establish joint venture on Trucks and Lorries. The joint ventures involve a sum of $938 Million USD (6.35 billion Yuan). Angela Merkel also marked that,
The economic scheme might roar, but the two countries differed on Human rights values. German believes in promoting human rights, protection of minorities, freedom of opinion, the press and religion freedom. German faced many criticisms from China over the differences in Human Rights Issue in the past years. Angela Merkel is much appreciated in German for her values and practice of Human rights. She mentioned about Tibet issue, when Chinese Prime Minister Wen Jiabao stopped in Berlin on his European tour in 2009. German Chancellor was inevitable to mention on human rights to avoid condemnation from German parliament and the Civil Society in Germany even this time. She expressed that German has vital interest in helping China in solving Chinas' problem areas i.e. Tibet, although her main focus of the tour is to promote economic interest between the two.
British FS's Plea for Human Rights and Autonomy in Tibet During his Chinese Visit By Ben Dunant, The Tibet Post
human rights in Tibet". This being his virgin trip to China since assuming his position, he seized the opportunity to voice what are, allegedly, his long-held concerns over the frequent abuses of human rights in Tibet. After making conciliatory overtures to Jiechi towards establishing a closer working relationship between their respective nations, Hague said, "We want to see long-term stability for Tibet, which in our view implies work on human rights and greater autonomy." An objection to Chinese state tyranny was, therefore, couched tactfully in terms of China's national interest, with a stress laid on the "stability" that remains crucial to such a vast, diverse nation undergoing rapid social and economic changes. Hague's demand sits awkwardly upon the controversial statement of his predecessor, David Miliband - "Like every other EU member state, and the United States, we regard Tibet as part of the People's Republic of China," Miliband said in a written ministerial statement issued on October 29th 2008, backing the One China policy adhered to by many of the world's most powerful democracies including America and, the host of the Tibetan Government-in-Exile, India. This was an historic about-turn for Britain on Tibet, an abandonment of a position
held for 94 years - its colonial roots being in British India's concern for an independent Tibet to act as a buffer state against their Chinese and Russian enemies - which recognised China's "special position" and "suzerainty" in Tibet, but not Chinese sovereignty, and was entrenched in international law, with the UN Security Council recognising it as distinct from other "provinces" of China. Miliband, however, declared this distinction and the very notion of "suzerainty" to be outdated. Miliband's statement received huge criticism from a broad coalition of academics, Free Tibet activist groups and the Tibetan Government-in-Exile, who asked what Faustian prize China offered in return. Thubten Samphel, the latter's spokesman, said his government was "greatly disappointed. For the British Government to change its position at this stage to us seems counterproductive." The Free Tibet Campaign claimed the British government was "rewriting history". Robbie Barnett, a British-born historian of Tibet at Columbia University, said that Miliband's statement gave away the only leverage the outside world had to influence events in Tibet. Miliband did, however, pledge his firm support towards His Holiness the Dalai Lama's mission for greater regional autonomy
within China, and strongly backed talks between the Chinese Communist Party and envoys of His Holiness, the latest round of which had just wound up in Beijing - talks which later proved to be abortive, with China conceding nothing. It would appear that, despite loud support for a free Tibet among their citizens, the governments of Europe and America have aligned themselves with His Holiness the Dalai Lama's Middle Way approach: under this pragmatic, concessionary proposal, the Chinese government would retain control of diplomacy and defence, but allow Tibet to be governed by an elected body. However, with substantial business interests in and an increasing financial dependency on the rocketing economy of China, it is naïve to expect more from these governments that the odd principled statement, like that from Hague, with no concrete political or economic pressure to follow; the sanctions declared frequently against the Burmese military junta are very unlikely to be repeated here. Such is the reality of a global power shift from West to East, in which the ‘moral authority' of Euroamerica becomes increasingly impotent and rising states like China become ever less accountable to international law. Tibet, it often seems, is on its own.
Further Crackdown on Press Freedom in China. Photo: File By Megan Davis, The Tibet Post
Dharamshala: Reporters Without Borders have expressed concern over the recent regulations imposed on Chinese news media by the government Propaganda Department. New restrictions prohibit the exchange of articles between newspapers in neighbouring regions and also forbid metropolitan based media to report on national or international stories, according to Chinese journalists. The Paris-based NGO that advocates freedom of press are fearful of the impact these new guidelines will have on the Liberal press, particularly in light of the ban on modifying any official media coverage."[T]he accumulation of draconian regulations [in China] has gradually created a legislative straitjacket for the media," the organisation has stated. "These new rules add to the laws on state secrets and subversion that have been used by the authorities many times to punish journalists." According to the Hong Kong-based daily Ming Pao, the new regulations have been in place since 1st July 2010 and are an extension of the laws imposed against interregional reporting in 2004. The main
liberal local news agencies based in Beijing, Guangdong, and Shandong have surrendered to the regulations, publishing only the official media coverage in their international news sections. The new directives have the potential to "kill all reports that are the least bit negative in the provincial newspapers", an investigative reporter from Beijing told the freedom press NGO. Silencing news from other regions gives free reign for politically supported official news agency Xinhua to increase their international presence and impose the "Chinese version" of events. Reporters Without Borders have also been informed by local journalists that officials intend to put an end to reporting on police activity and judicial matters. Heightened control over news media comes as the latest in a succession of censorship modifications in China, such as restrictions over internet access, particularly to social networking sites such as Facebook and international search engines. Anxiety is mounting over the consequences of these restrictions for freedom of expression, a fundamental human right
British GovT. Warned over Stance on Tibet
Further Crackdown on Press Freedom in China. Photo: File By Megan Davis, The Tibet Post
Dhasa: The newly elected British Conservative Government has been heavily criticized by the Chinese media for its about-turn change in attitude on the issue of Tibet. British Foreign Secretary, William Hague, raised his concerns over human rights abuses targeted at the Tibetan population at a meeting with his Chinese counterpart, Yang Jiechi, in Beijing on 14th July. Chinese newspaper China Daily have warned that ‘raising the Tibet issue to upset the Chinese government is a loselose strategy' and that ‘the British side
will have to pay a dear price for this.' Hague's predecessor, David Miliband, of the Labour Government publicly supported the One China policy, regarding Tibet as part of the People's Republic of China; a stance that was held for 94 years. At the meeting earlier this month, Jiechi and other officials lectured Hague on Britain's controversial new position, arguing defensively that China's sovereignty and territorial integrity was very sensitive to the issue of Tibet and that the human rights situation is currently at its historical best. The agenda for the meeting was to establish a political and economic alliance between Beijing and London's new coalition government; however the exchange seems to have unsettled both aspects of this relationship, the China Daily warns. They suggest, in a threatening manner, that pointing the finger and providing a stage for ‘separatists' may have dyer consequences for future Chinese-British relations.
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Witnesses Unveil Yet More Brutality China Says Tibetans Lead from China’s Security Forces Undeniable Happy Lives
Armed Chinese paramilitary police stand guard along the street at the old Tibetan quarter in Lhasa, Tibet June 28, 2010. China can maintain its grip on Tibet "forever", a senior official said on Tuesday, but conceded that a heavy security presence was still needed to ensure order in Lhasa two years after deadly riots. Picture taken June 28, 2010. Photo: TPI By Megan Davis, The Tibet Post
Dharamshala: Eyewitness accounts, in a Human Rights Watch report released today, have confirmed long-held convictions that Chinese state security forces exercised disproportionate, brutal measures in repressing the Tibetan protests starting on March 10, 2008. Disappearances, wrongful convictions and imprisonment, the targeting of Tibetans suspected of ‘separatist' sympathies and the persecution of their families featured in the 73 page report, "I Saw It with My Own Eyes: Abuses by
Security Forces in Tibet, 2008-2010". Based on more than 200 interviews with Tibetan refugees and visitors conducted immediately after they left China, alongside fresh, previously unreported, official Chinese sources, it details firsthand accounts of excessive force used in breaking up protests, proceeding to large-scale arbitrary arrests, brutalizing detainees, and torturing suspects in custody atrocities that took place both during and after the protests. "Dozens of eyewitness testimonies and
the government's own sources show clearly the official willingness to use lethal force against unarmed protestors," said Sophie Richardson, Asia advocacy director at Human Rights Watch. "This report decisively refutes the Chinese government's claim that it handled the protests in line with international standards and domestic laws." The report furthermore suggests that, contrary to government claims, security forces opened fire indiscriminately on demonstrators in at least four separate incidents, including one in downtown Lhasa on March 14th. That such things have only come to light recently is down to the efforts of the Chinese government to pre-empt external scrutiny: at the time of the protests and some while after, the entire Tibetan plateau was effectively closed down with a heavy distribution of troops, all foreign visitors and journalists were expelled, travel to and within the region was restricted, telecommunications and the internet were either cut or monitored, and anyone suspected of reporting the incidents were arrested. China has rejected all calls for independent investigations into the events, not least those from the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights. "The need for an international investigation into the situation in Tibet is a great as ever," Richardson said. "Abuses by security forces are unlikely to quell, and may even aggravate, the longstanding grievances that prompted the protests in the first place."
Rongpo Monastery is a Criminal, Declares China
Rongpo County of Nagchu region, eastern Tibet. Photo: e6photo.com By Sangay and Ben Dunant, TPI
Dharamshala: April this year, a group of Chinese officials visited Rongpo monastery of Sog county, Nagchu region, eastern Tibet to 'educate' the monks on the virtues of loving one's religion and, more importantly, one's government - for an entire month. Later, on 17th May, communications in the monastery were cut, Mr Ngawang Tharpa told The Tibet Post International. Recently Dawa Rinpoche was arrested in the Tibetan capital Lhasa; he was accused of recognising the 5th reincarnation of Rongpo Choeje, and later contacting the Dalai Lama about the discovery. Simultaneously three other monks were arrested: Dongpo, Ngawang
Jangchup and Ngawang Thokme alongside a layman, Tashi Dhondup. One by one there were released, except Ngawang Thokme (35 years old), who was found to have kept photographs of His Holiness the Dalai Lama in his dormitory, and was sentenced for two years. Around that time 50 Chinese officials and 150 soldiers came to the monastery and interrogated the monks: they were all commanded to state their opposition to both the His Holiness the Dalai Lama and the Dawa Rinpoche. And from that day, any further communication with the Dawa Rinpoche was forbidden, who was furthermore de-recognised as a lama - a
prohibition that would extend to any reincarnations. Each monk had to sign a written declaration condemning the Dawa Rinpoche. During the process, one monk, Jampa, fell unconscious. Another monastery official, politically appointed, by the name of Tashi Tensang, became mentally unwell and lost his position in the monastery, having to return to his family home. The monastery was forced to temporarily close, due to ongoing disputes between monks and Chinese officials. Later a monk called Nagwang Gyatso, at 17 years of age, committed suicide on 20th May, on account of the stresses of the events so far described. He was said to have been well respected among his immediate community. Before his death he wrote a letter - swiftly stolen by the Chinese authorities; the contents are so far unknown. The Chinese furthermore denied that he committed suicide, claiming illness instead - and anyone caught uttering the word 'suicide' was to be arrested. Dawa Rinpoche was released after a month, but was disallowed from taking up any further monastic positions; he was forbidden from entering any monastery, and had to stay put firmly within the vicinity of his home town; and he was prohibited from contacting any of his former monk colleagues. He is currently 75 years old and his health is failing. The Chinese authorities have placed him under permanent surveillance; his activities are still closely monitored.
Tibetans Detained After Anti-Mining Protest in Shigatse� central Tibet on 21st May 2010. Photo: RFA By Erwin L Molier, The Tibet Post
Bejing: Qin Gang, spokesperson for Ministry of Foreign Affairs said on 15 July, "Facts speak louder than words..... Tibet's economy and social undertakings have continued to advance and Human Rights for Tibetans are fully guaranteed and people from different ethnic groups are leading a secure happy life". He further added that, Human Rights for Tibetans are fully guaranteed. The Chinese foreign ministry recently organized some foreign reporters to visit Tibet, to which Qin added that, "as to the foreign reporters' visit to Tibet, since they are living and working in China, the most basic rule is to abide by China's laws and regulations". In the recent years, Tibet and the world have noticed massive development in Tibet; development of heavy industries, electricity, township etc. But, is this the need of the Tibetans? On talking with Communist China, we always hear that, Human Rights is Guaranteed to Tibetan people, but under which category. Universal Declaration of Human Rights Article 5: No one shall be subject to torture or to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment. Article 9 writes: No one shall be subjected to arbitrary arrest, detention or exile. Article 18: right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion and article 19: right to freedom of opinion and expression. The recent report says, two Polish journalists were blacklisted and are banned from entering China. Would that government guarantee Human Right to Tibetan people? The Communist China has killed 1.3 million people in Tibet, under the act of protection, where is the value of Human Rights? China plan to construct dams in the Himalayan Mountains in Tibet,
Rongpo monastery has since re-opened and Ngawang Lobsang and 17 other monks have demanded from the Chinese government that contact be permitted between them and the Dawa Rinpoche, and that they be allowed to express their support for both him and His Holiness the Dalai Lama. All demands were refused, and so they left the monastery on 17th July. Weekly they have to report to state authorities, and for two years they are forbidden from travelling long distances. Their future, and that of the 'criminal' monastery of Rongpo, remains uncertain.
Human Rights does not talk about huge construction and snatching individual rights to live a full life. Tibet Massacre in 2008 resulted in killing of 500 Tibetan protester including monks and more than 10,000 injured. And, in respond to this, the Chinese official claim only 10 people death. The Chinese government used live ammunition and tear gas, and fired at the crowd. The Chinese government is also engaged in housing right violation in occupied Tibet which threatens the last remnants of the Tibetans. Universal Declaration of Human Rights Article 9 talks freedom from arbitrary arrest, detention or exile. A report says, in less than a year, Chinese police arrested, tortured and sentenced to prison or to "re-education-throughlabor" three brothers and three cousins from the same Tibetan family. And, there are thousands of Tibetan people who are locked behind bars without any trails in court. Gunning of women and children in Tibet by the Communist China is a serious issue that needs immediate attention. An estimate of 150,000 Tibetans live in exile all over the world and jeopardizing of any of the article under the declaration is a violation of Human Rights, and there is no escape. Do we really need the high Chinese security system in Lhasa, the capital of Tibet? It shuns the freedom of movement for Tibetans including tourist and reporters. Why would China still punish and torture Tibetans who worship His Holiness Dalai Lama? Why is there a situation in Tibet that forces people to live in veil? Qin Gang, spokesperson for Ministry of Foreign Affairs said, "a few words to the reporters; hope they may cover Tiber based on reality rather than imagination". On a routine press conference held by Qin, a reporter asked, "The Chinese foreign ministry recently organized some foreign reporters to visit Tibet, but some wrote reports, which stated that local Tibetans are 'under oppression.' How do you respond to these reports? The world waits for the respond, and the writing should be based on reality and not on imagination. It's time, the Communist China reconsider their Human Rights frame and work towards a better and free Tibet and stop considering the Tibetans as minorities and stop subjecting them from all possible angle and abide with the values of Human Rights. As Qin Gang quoted "Let the fact speak louder than word".
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30 July , 2010 Dharamsala
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The Tibet Post
My Reincarnation will be in a Chinese and Tibetan Friendship Society Free Country: His Holiness By Megan Davis, The Tibet Post
Tibetan leader, His Holiness the Dalai Lama atteding his 75th birthday in Dharamshala, India on 6 July 2010. Photo: TPI By Megan Davis, The Tibet Post
Dharamshala: His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama has said that he believes his next reincarnation will be in a ‘free country', in light of continuing unrest in Tibet today. The search for the Dalai Lama has usually been limited historically to Tibet, although the 3rd tulku (a particular high-ranking lama) was born in Mongolia. Tenzin Gyatso, the spiritual leader of the Tibetan people, has announced that he will not be reborn in a country occupied by the Chinese Communist Party. "If I die as a refugee and the Tibetan situation remains like this, then
logically, my reincarnation will appear in a free country, because the very purpose of reincarnation is to carry on the work which began in my previous life', His Holiness told Bernama.com during a recent interview in Dharamshala. He said that a ‘true reincarnation' would be that which allowed him to fulfill work started in a previous life. In response to questions of whether the next reincarnation could be a woman, the Nobel Peace Prize laureate answered that "[if] circumstances are such that female reincarnation is more effective
Dhasa: In response to His Holiness the Dalai Lama's continuous request for Tibetan and Chinese people to establish a more trusting and responsive relationship, on 23rd June 1010 the Chinese and Tibetan Friendship Society of Europe was created. The organization, which is active in Germany, Belgium and the Netherlands, is headed by Tibetans and Chinese of equal numbers who now reside in these respective countries, their aim being to reestablish faith and trust between the two communities. Such a relationship is seen as vital to secure the future rights of both populations. Following in the footsteps of similar associations around the world, the European contingent further emphasizes the potential for future peace amongst China and Tibet, which rests on the organization of joint activities and information exchange. The society plans an annual commemoration of the anniversary of the 4th June Tiananmen Square protests in Beijing (1989), as well as celebrating His Holiness the Dalai Lama's birthday, who growing numbers
to people, then, logically it should be female". Despite the historical prominence of male leadership in the Tibetan Buddhist tradition, the Dalai Lama assured the online newspaper that women held an equally important position in Buddhism and that there exists no prejudice against them.
Tibetan Songstress Destined for Stardom Alan Dolma Tibetan singer. Photo: FIle By Megan Davis, The Tibet Post
Dhasa: Tibetan singing sensation Alan Dawa Dalma will play at the Shibuya Bunkamura Orchard Hall in Tokyo, Japan, fulfilling a life long dream of hers. Known simply as Alan in Japan, the 22 year old was born in Dhartsedho county, eastern Tibet and sings in her native ethnic Khampa dialectic, as well as Chinese. Since moving to Tokyo in 2006 following her discovery by Avex Trax, a Japanese record label, Dalma has wowed crowds with her powerful voice. Her shows involve an eclectic mix of Japanese pop, ballads and traditional songs and she admits that her biggest fear is mixing up the languages during performances. International interest is growing and many expect great things in the future for the young Tibetan entertainer. Following the Tibetan tradition, she was bestowed with her name, which means "a heavenly maiden of the moon" by a Lama (Buddhist teacher) at birth.
Community representives from Chinese and Tibetan Friendship Society. Photo: TPI
of Chinese now support. CTFSE posit that the oppressive Chinese government is no longer just an issue for Tibet, but one that also affects the human rights of the Chinese population as awareness is growing amongst those with access to the truth. Access to unbiased media is
increasingly difficult under the Chinese communist regime and CTFSE strive to provide access to the facts. Celebrations for both Chinese and Tibetan New Year are also on the agenda as a means to develop an appreciation and understanding of each other's cultural traditions.
Han Chinese Migrants Killing Tibet's Way of Life By YC. Dhardhowa, The Tibet Post
growing at a 12 percent annual rate, faster than China's average. Although the influx of money and people has ushered new prosperity, it has also deepened resentment among many Tibetans. Many world experts say that economic development in urban Tibet is very much a reality, however, it poses the question: for whose sake has this development taken place and on whose terms? According to a 1990s census, outside of the traditional Tibetan "Bharkor" market there are around 3,500 to 4,000 shops and restaurants in Lhasa, but Tibetans own only 400-450 of them, leaving the remaining 85% under nonTibetan (usually Han Chinese) ownership. As a result, Tibetans have been economically marginalized and deprived of their own fair share.Chinese
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officials have claimed "Tibetans make up more than 95 percent of the region's 2.9 million people," but refuse to give estimates on Han migrants, who are not registered residents. As stated earlier, one of the primary targets of subsidies is urbanization. Like other towns, the city of Lhasa has expanded and the population has increased from 30,000 in 1950s to 200,000 in 1998. Though these figures seem impressive, it is again necessary to look at the finer details of the statistics to understand who, in fact, is benefiting from this urbanization. It is estimated that as much as 60-70% of the population in Lhasa is now Chinese. Not only do they dominate private businesses, but they also occupy most government-related employment. "Approximately 95 percent of official Chinese immigrants are employed" in state- owned enterprises.
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Mr. Thomas Keimel Dr. Vincent Brucel Mr. YC. Dhardhowa Mr. Sangay Dorjee Ms. Keary Huang Ms. Phuntsok Choedon Mr. Tenzin Kunga
Contributors for this edition Ms Mega Davis Mr Erwin L Molier Mr Ben Dunant, Ms Ye-Rinne Park The Tibet Post International Himalayan Literacy Trust (Head Office) 1st Floor, Dolkhang House, Jogiwara Road, Mcleod Ganj, Dharamsala, Distt. Kangra H.P 176219 India
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