Tibet Information Office Australia

Dharamshala: “We have clearly expressed to the Chinese government of our firm commitment to continuing the dialogue process to resolve the issue of Tibet,” the envoys of His Holiness the Dalai Lama said Tuesday, adding that “the Chinese leadership too attaches great importance to engage in talks with us.” (Click here to watch press conference)

Addressing the media here on latest round of discussions on Tibet in China from 26 – 31 January, Special Envoy Kasur Lodi Gyari said: “We have absolutely made it clear to the Chinese leadership that the issues that we discussed are about the future of Tibetan people and their well being. We strongly reiterated there is no personal matter concerning the future status of His Holiness the Dalai Lama.”

Terming the projection of Dalai Lama’s personal issue by the Chinese government as mere political rhetoric, Kasur Lodi Gyari said the personal issue of His Holiness the Dalai Lama was never on the agenda of our discussions throughout the process since the contact with the Chinese government was established in 1979. Read the rest

Special Envoy Kasur Lodi Gyari (c) and Envoy Kelsang Gyaltsen (R), addresses to the media in Dharamsala today on the latest round of discussions on Tibet with the representatives of the Chinese government. Secretary for Information Thubten Samphel (L) read out the statement by the special envoy of His Holiness the Dalai Lama.

Envoy Kelsang Gyaltsen and I, accompanied by two members of our Task Force, Tenzin P. Atisha and Bhuchung K. Tsering, and Jigmey Passang from the Task Force Secretariat, visited China from January 26 to 31, 2010, for the ninth round of discussions with representatives of the Chinese leadership. This round was held after a gap of 15 months. We returned to Dharamsala on February 1, 2010 and have formally reported today to His Holiness the Dalai Lama, Kalon Tripa Samdhong Rinpoche, as well as the Speaker and Deputy Speaker of the Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile.

In Beijing, we had a session with Mr. Du Qinglin, Vice Chairman of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference as well as Minister of the Central United Front Work Department, on January 30. We had a day-long discussion with Executive Vice Minister Zhu Weiqun and Vice Minister Sithar on January 31, 2010. Mr. Nyima Tsering, a Vice Chairman of the Tibet Autonomous Region People’s Congress, also participated in these meetings.

We first arrived in Changsha, capital of Hunan Province, on January 26, 2010. Before beginning our programmes there, we formally presented to the Central United Front Work Department, a Note relating to the Memorandum on Genuine Autonomy for All Tibetans that we had given during the previous eighth round of dialogue in November 2008. The Note contained seven points that addressed the fundamental issues raised by the Chinese leadership during the eighth round and some constructive suggestions for a way forward in the dialogue process. The seven points include respecting sovereignty and territorial integrity of the PRC, respecting the Constitution of the PRC, respecting the “Three Adherences,” respecting the hierarchy and authority of the Chinese Central Government, Concerns raised by the Central Government on specific competencies referred to the Memorandum, recognising the core issue, and offering His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s cooperation for a mutually beneficial solution.

The Note made clear that His Holiness the Dalai Lama and other members of the exiled leadership have no personal demands to make. His Holiness’ concern is with the rights and welfare of the Tibetan people. Therefore, the fundamental issue that needs to be resolved is the faithful implementation of genuine autonomy that will enable the Tibetan people to govern themselves in accordance with their own genius and needs. Read the rest

Press Statement

His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s Special Envoy Lodi G. Gyari and Envoy Kelsang Gyaltsen will arrive in China tomorrow for discussions with the representatives of the Chinese leadership. This is the ninth round of dialogue. The Envoys are visiting China after a gap of 15 months in the process that began in 2002.

They will be accompanied by senior assistants Tenzin P. Atisha, Bhuchung K. Tsering, both members of Tibetan Task Force on Negotiations, and Jigmey Passang from the Secretariat of the Tibetan Task Force.

At a two day meeting of the Tibetan Task Force in Dharamsala chaired by Kalon Tripa, Prof. Samdhong Rinpoche, the Tibetan delegation finalised their preparations for the discussions in Beijing. On January 22, 2010 the Kalon Tripa and the two Envoys briefed His Holiness the Dalai Lama and sought his guidance.

The delegation is expected to return to India at the beginning of next month.

Chhime R. Chhoekyapa
Secretary to
His Holiness the Dalai Lama

Religious Foundation of His Holiness the Dalai Lama based in Taipei

Tibet Religious Foundation of His Holiness the Dalai Lama based in Taipei has organised a special prayer for the victims of devastating earthquake in Haiti that struck on 13th of this month.

The half-day special prayer was held at the Foundation’s Prayer hall on Saturday the 16 Jan. The Prayer was lead by Geshe Jampal Chozin a religious teacher of the Foundation and has been attended by staff members of the office and more than hundred dharma student from around Taipei.

The massive 7.0-magnitude earthquake has struck the Caribbean nation of Haiti. This was Haiti’s worst quake in two centuries. It hit south of the capital Port-au-Prince wrecking the presidential palace, UN HQ and other buildings.