In a statement marking Human Rights Day on December 10, Penpa Tsering, the Sikyong(President) of the Tibetan government-in-exile, sharply criticized China for its policies in Tibet. According to a recent report by The Hindu, Sikyong accused China of undermining the fundamental human rights of Tibetans and aggressively erasing their cultural identity.
Sikyong Penpa Tsering’s comments come in response to China‘s recent “white paper” on Tibet, which claimed significant advancements in the region’s development, stability, and environmental protection under Communist Party rule. The policy document highlighted China‘s efforts in infrastructure development, such as building highways and promoting tourism in the mountainous region.
However, Sikyong, speaking at the Tsuglakhang temple in Dharamshala, the base of the Tibetan government-in-exile in India, presented a starkly different view. He described the Chinese Communist Party’s actions as an attempt to forge a singular Chinese national identity, promoting the Chinese language and the “Sinicisation” of Tibetan Buddhism, while pushing socialist values. This approach, Sikyong argued, has resulted in unprecedented suffering and oppression for the Tibetan people.
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The Hindu report also noted Sikyong‘s concerns about the increase in the appointment of Chinese officials in Tibetan areas. This move is seen as part of China‘s strategy to deepen its control over the region.
His Holiness the Dalai Lama, the spiritual leader of the Tibetan people, has been based in Dharamshala, India, since escaping Tibet in 1959 following a failed uprising against Chinese rule. While His Holiness the Dalai Lama insists on seeking meaningful autonomy and the preservation of Tibet‘s Buddhist culture, tensions between the Chinese government and the Tibetan exile community remain high.
Sikyong‘s statement on Human Rights Day serves as a reminder of the ongoing struggle of the Tibetan people to preserve their cultural identity and autonomy. As reported by The Hindu, the contrast between China‘s portrayal of its rule in Tibet and the reality expressed by the Tibetan government-in-exile highlights the complex and contentious nature of the Tibet–China relationship.
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