Speaking on his first visit to China since becoming foreign secretary, Mr William Hague said London had long-standing concerns about human rights in Tibet.

“We want to see long-term stability for Tibet, which in our view implies work on human rights and greater autonomy,” he added.

He has told his Chinese counterpart Yang Jiechi he wants to build a close working relationship between the two countries.

Mr Hague is due to meet Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao later on Wednesday, before travelling to Japan on Thursday.

The press released issued by the Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile said: “In response to the felicitation to the newly elected Prime Minister of the United Kingdom His Excellency David Cameron by the Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile, His Excellency expressed that:

“This Government will continue to urge the Chinese to make progress towards meaningful autonomy for Tibet. We will continue to impress upon the Chinese the importance of substantive dialogue with the Tibetan representatives in good faith. This is the only way to bring about a lasting and peaceful solution to the problems in Tibet.

The Government considers that underlying issues can only be resolved through meaningful dialogue between the Dalai Lama’s representatives and the Chinese authorities. Our interest is in long term stability, which can only achieved through respect for human rights and greater autonomy for the Tibetans.”

On behalf of all the Tibetan people inside and outside Tibet, the Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile extends its sincere thanks for the supportive response.”

Opening remarks by Mr Tashi Wangdi, His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s Representative for Western Europe, Magreb and EU, Magreb and EU, reminded those present that within Tibet there could be no public celebration of His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s birthday within Tibet but that Tibetans had marked the day in their own private way and that the Tibetan culture, identity, and support for His Holiness and the Middle Way Approach remained undented.

Mr Wangdi drew the audience’s attention to the constricted media space in China and the effect this had on the perceptions of ordinary Chinese towards Tibet and His Holiness the Dalai Lama. Referring to visit of Chinese scholars to the United States, Mr Wangdi noted that most Chinese could be receptive to the dialogue over the Tibet question but Beijing’s obstinacy remained the key stumbling block.

Mr Thomas Mann MEP, chair of the European Parliament’s Tibet Intergroup echoed Mr Wangdi’s sentiments, and reiterated the commitment of the Intergroup to supporting the campaign for the rights of Tibetans and refuting Beijing labelling of His Holiness the Dalai Lama as a ‘splittist’ – despite consistent statements from the CTA to the contrary.

The evening closed with a celebration of Tibetan culture, centred on displays of traditional dance and music performed by members of the Tibetan diaspora in Belgium.

Celebrations marking His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s birthday will also be marked by an exhibition in the European Parliament sponsored by Mr Thomas Man MEP and Ms Lidia Geringer de Oedenberg MEP in conjunction with the Bureau du Tibet. The exhibition, entitled “Journey for Peace”, will run from 12-16 July 2010.

The ceremony began with the enthronement of His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s portrait, followed by prayers for the long life of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, which was led by monks from the Rikon Tibetan Monastery. The stage was bedecked with a large a photo of His Holiness the Dalai Lama gazing from Potala palace, which was specially made for the occasion.

Following the one-and-half hours of prayer, auspicious ceremonial dances like Tashi Shopa, Gyashey and Lingdro were performed. | Read more

Representative Nawang Rabgyal, while welcoming the guests and friends from different aspects of life, spoke on the view and vision of His Holiness the Dalai Lama and His Holiness’ three main commitments in life. The Representative Rabgyal said: “For the Tibetan people, His Holiness is not only the spiritual and temporal leader but he is the source of our inner strength and happiness. He is the symbol of our unity, the symbol of our hope and aspiration. The Tibetan people owe him greatly for leading us in this most difficult and critical period in the history of Tibet. Tibet has a recorded history of more than 2000 years and civilization of over 300 years.” | Read more

Former Foreign Secretary of India, Mr. Kanwal Sibal in his talk called His Holiness “a living bond between India and Tibet” and said His Holiness can be a reconciliatory force between India and China. “Dalai Lama could be the political, spiritual, economic and transit bridge between India and China,” Mr. Sibal said, adding reconciliation between Tibet and China can open door for reconciliation between India and China. “Let the Dalai Lama open this door,” he said. | Read more

Around 70 invited guests including Parliamentarians, representatives of Tibet Support Groups, Buddhist groups, charitable organisations, journalists, diplomats, members of the Tibetan community, and other friends and supporters of Tibet gathered at the Kailash Centre in London for a reception in celebration of His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s 75th Birthday hosted by the Office of Tibet | Read more

As every city in the world celebrates the birthday of one of the most respected leaders in the world today, Sydney drew record numbers of friends and supporters to the Festival of Tibet on the Northern Beaches home of the Tibetan community.

The day was hosted by the NSW Tibetan community, in association with Dalai Lama in Australia Limited and the Tibetan and Chinese Friendship Association. The day commenced with prayers from the venerable Sangha members.

Guest speakers were Mr Sonam Dagpo, representative of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, Justice John Dowd, Chancellor of Southern Cross University, Mr Bill Crews, Chairman of the Exodus Foundation, the Honorable Peter Slipper MP, Mrs Mei Leech, Tibetan and Chinese Friendship Association, Mr Paul Bourke, executive director of Australia Tibet Council, Lynn Bain, General Manager of Dalai Lama in Australia Ltd, and Mr Jigme Dorjee, President of the Tibetan community in NSW.

The day was also attended by other eminent visitors such as the Honorable Phillip Ruddock MP, Mr Brad Hazzard MP, the Mayor of Warringah, famous peace activist, Steve Killelea, and many Chinese friends and supporters from a diversity of Chinese groups.

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The event ran in conjunction with a photographic exhibition, “A man of compassion and wisdom – The Dalai Lama’s Life in Pictures” presented by Dalai Lama in Australia Limited.

Over a thousand well wishers attended the celebration, which included traditional Tibetan song and dance performances, poetry readings, performances by members of the Chinese community, and a rousing rendition of the “Happy Birthday To You” song with a Tibetan flavour, before the Tibetan style birthday cake was shared between attendees.

The afternoon saw the performance of everyone’s favourite snow lion dance, and the draw of the raffle, which distributed the wonderful abundant gifts which were kindly donated by a very generous network of Tibetan friends and supporters.

From everyone in Sydney, we wish His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama heartfelt wishes for Happy Birthday and Long Life.

–Report filed by Sue Bloom on behalf of Tibetan Community of New South Wales, Australia

In Canberra, a special function was hosted by the Tibet Information Office (Canberra) and Tibetan Community of the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) in the National Press Club of Australia on 7th July, 2010.

Australian Greens leader Senator Bob Brown and senior Liberal Party member Hon Peter Slipper MP were among the distinguished guests who attended the function. Hon Peter Slipper MP, a co-convenor of the Australian All-Party Parliamentary Group for Tibet, was also representing Hon Tony Abbott MP, Leader of the Opposition in the Parliament of Australia. More than 200 guest including diplomats, officials, academicians, media, Tibet supporters, Chinese and Buddhist representatives and Tibetans participated in the function.

The celebration featured a rich and diverse cultural program including Tibetan musicians Tenzin Choegyal from Brisbane, Tenzin Yeshe from Melbourne, a Sri Lankan dance troupe, a Nepalese dancer, a Mozart virtuoso violin performance by Mr. Yang Yang of the Chinese Community and Tibetan dances performed by the Tibetan Community of New South Wales.

The evening began with a traditional aboriginal “welcome to country” performed by Mr. Shane Mortimer, an elder of the Ngambri people, the traditional owners of the Australian Capital Territory.

In his commemorative speech, Senator Bob Brown, the guest of honour, described His Holiness the Dalai Lama as a “great and inspiring human being” and “Tibet’s greatest gift to the world”.

“In a world driven by national interests, economic growth and short-term political games, the Dalai Lama and Tibet offer the inspiration that all humanity needs. There is no greater exponent of the alternative, long-term, compassionate and global view than the Dalai Lama. No one person has offered a more cohesive, optimistic yet practical vision for the future than His Holiness.”

As the host of the evening, Tibetan Community in ACT secretary Tsewang Thupten explained how Tibetans’ admiration of His Holiness was based “not just on blind faith but on appreciation of his practical wisdom and compassion”.

Mr. Sonam Dagpo, Representative of His Holiness the Dalai Lama in Australia, New Zealand and Southeast Asia gave a moving account of His Holiness’s life, achievements, and tireless work towards a peaceful resolution for the Tibetan people.

Tenzin Lhadhar, President of Tibetan Community of ACT gave a vote of thanks which was followed by a cocktail reception.

Australia is today home to over 900 Tibetans and has grown into a major centre of the global Tibetan Diaspora.

Australia’s celebrations of His Holiness’s 75th birthday continued on 11th July, 2010 with Sydney’s “Festival of Tibet”. The event featured another elaborate program of cultural performances and speeches, along with the launch of a unique photographic exhibition titled “A Man of Compassion and Wisdom: The Dalai Lama’s Journey”.

–Report filed by Dr. Simon Bradshaw & Tenzin Dolma Dagpo on behalf of TIO.

Yokohama, Japan: If the Tibetan people can achieve genuine autonomy in protecting and promoting their culture, language, identity, and way of life, it can also provide hope for a more just and compassionate society in China where the frenzied rush to accumulate wealth and power has led to the rapid erosion of moral principles, said His Holiness the Dalai Lama at an informal gathering of some 70 Tibetans and their Japanese supporters this morning at the Intercontinental Grand Hotel in Yokohama.

His Holiness said the Tibetan people’s struggle for autonomy is based on valid historical and cultural basis. “Since the 7th century, the Tibetan people have developed their own language, religion, and culture without seeking any help from outsiders,” he said, adding the most comprehensive knowledge on Buddhism, for instance, is available only in Tibetan language.

Tibetan cultural and religious traditions emphasize the inner values of truth, kindness, peace, and the well-being of humanity even as Tibetans in Tibet still face violent suppression of their basic rights as human beings. Because Tibetans have been honest and transparent in their dealings with the Chinese authorities in solving the Tibet issue, there is no need for them to feel hatred, prejudice, bias, or tell lies, he said. “Truth, not force, is our biggest strength.”

In his brief address to the gathering, Mr. Tsegyam, head of the China Desk at the Private Office of His Holiness the Dalai Lama said concern is now growing among many Chinese intellectuals about the corrosion of traditional Chinese values in the current socio-political system in China.

Although extreme nationalistic feelings particularly among young Chinese, provoked largely by a xenophobic state media, is still a problem, Mr. Tsegyam said awareness about the Tibet issue is increasing not only among Chinese intellectuals but also among ordinary Chinese in and outside mainland China. He said mainland Chinese Buddhists are now paying more attention to Tibetan Buddhism by attending His Holiness’ teachings in India. Over 500 Chinese now visit India annually to learn about Buddhist teachings from His Holiness; more than 200 mainland Chinese Buddhists attended His Holiness’ teaching in Varanasi (India) last year. Many more were unable to attend due to restrictions imposed by the Chinese government. Chinese scholars, professors, writers, and artists often seek audience with His Holiness.

Recalling a meeting His Holiness had with 11 Chinese university students in Paris, Mr. Tsegyam said the students asked for pictures of His Holiness so they could take them home and show it to their family and friends and tell them about the problems faced by the Tibetans. One of the students who was studying filmmaking conveyed a message of apology to His Holiness from his father who as a PLA soldier in 1956 had to kill many Tibetans. “He said he heard his father cry on phone when telling about his actions in Tibet as a PLA soldier,” Mr. Tsegyam said. “Try to befriend every Chinese you meet because that’s the best way to clear doubts and misinformation.”

He said all Tibetans living in Tibet Autonomous Region (TAR) and in four provinces of Sichuan, Tso-ngon (Qinghai), Gansu and Yunnan share a common history, language, culture, faith, and way of life. “That being the case, it is not fair and just, even defies common sense, to deny genuine autonomy for over 4 million Tibetans who live outside the TAR,” Mr. Tsegyam said.

Before addressing the Tibetan gathering, His Holiness met with an 8-member parliamentary delegation led by Mr. Makino Seishu, a member of the Japanese parliament.

–Report filed by Tsering Tsomo