Sikyong Penpa Tsering, the President of the Tibetan government-in-exile’s Central Tibetan Administration, has issued a stark warning to countries in the Global South about the dangers of accepting cheap Chinese products. In an interview with ANI, Sikyong highlighted the negative impact that flooding markets with low-cost goods from China could have on local industries.
Sikyong’s concern stems from China‘s practice of “dumping” goods—selling products abroad at very low prices—which could potentially harm the economies of the receiving countries. “Nothing comes for free from China. They always come with the strategy,” he told ANI, cautioning nations to be wary of undermining their own industries by over-relying on imports that seem economically attractive in the short term.
The Tibetan leader pointed out that reducing business with China could lessen the financial resources China has for its Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), a massive infrastructure project aiming to link Asia, Africa, and Europe to boost trade and stimulate economic growth. According to Sikyong, giving less business to China is a strategic way to challenge the country economically.
Beyond economic strategies, Sikyong also raised environmental concerns, particularly regarding China‘s control over water resources in the region. He noted China‘s extensive dam-building activities in Tibet, which affect not just the environment but also the supply of water to multiple countries that rely on rivers originating in Tibet.
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The situation is made more urgent by climate change effects, which are reducing the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau’s ability to feed the Yangtze and Yellow Rivers with glacial meltwater, a crucial source of water for civilizations for thousands of years. Sikyong emphasized the significance of Tibet as the “water tower of Asia” and the potential geopolitical tensions arising from water scarcity.
Furthermore, Sikyong mentioned the cultural and societal impact of China‘s policies, including the inundation of villages and ancient monasteries, which could lead to the loss of significant cultural heritage in the region.
The interview also touched on broader geopolitical tensions, including India’s relations with China and the Maldives. Sikyong criticized China‘s attempts to “contain” India while complaining about similar strategies from the US, highlighting the double standards in China‘s foreign policies.
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