Canberra: The President of Central Tibetan Administration, Dr Lobsang Sangay today left for Melbourne, the final leg of his tri-city official tour, after concluding his visit to Sydney and Canberra, Australia.
In Canberra, President Dr Sangay was hosted at the Australian parliament by the Human Rights Sub-Committee.
During the meeting, President Dr Sangay briefed the committee including the Chair, Honourable Kevin Andrews, MP, on the ‘Environmental issues in Tibet, Genesis of self-immolation protest, Religious repression in the case of Larung Gar and Yachen Gar destruction, Forced nomadic resettlement project and CTA’s Middle way approach policy’.
“It was a pleasure to welcome to our Parliament the Prime Minister of the Tibetan Government-in-Exile, Sikyong Dr Lobsang Sangay yesterday,” Senator Dean Smith tweeted on Wednesday.
President Dr Lobsang Sangay with Micheal Danby, the member of the Australian House of Representatives at latter’s office.
The President also met with Chair and Co-chair of the All Party Parliamentary Group for Tibet and leader of the Australian Green, Senator Richard Di Natale on 9 August.
A major highlight of President’s visit was the interactive and informal discussion with Chinese students, democracy activists and intellectuals on two various occasions: at University of Technology, Sydney and at Tibetan Chinese friendship dinner at Kingston.
President Dr Sangay with Chinese friends at the Tibetan Chinese Friendship dinner at Tang Dynasty Restaurant, Kingston, 7 August 2017.
“The meeting was aimed to bring the two communities closer through dialogue and understanding,” said Kelsang Gyaltsen Bawa, Chinese liaison officer at Tibet Information Office, Canberra.
Earlier on Tuesday, President Dr Sangay was invited to speak at the National Press Club, Australia’s most recognized forum, an icon chosen for major statements and for initiating change.
President Dr Sangay speaking at the National Press Club.
Addressing eminent journalists and editors from leading Australian dailies and media houses, President Dr Sangay discussed how Tibet’s experiences with China will provide Australian leaders and world leaders an important insight into the rising superpower, China.
“We should not forget Tibet and the lessons that it gives us. We should never bow to pressure to silence the voice of dissidence in any country. The Press Club prides itself on being a forum for free speech, and it is in that spirit that today we welcome Dr Lobsang Sangay, the president of the Tibetan government-in-exile,” said Chris Ulmann, ABC Political Editor and NPC moderator.
CTA President Dr Lobsang Sangay during an interview on ‘Morning with Genevieve Jacobs’ at ABC Radio and TV interview at ABC Station.
President Dr Sangay’s visit also covered interviews with major Australian media company including the Fairfax and ‘Mornings with Genevieve Jacobs’ a Radio cum TV interview of ABC Canberra.
Speaking to Fairfax Media, Mr Sangay called for the Chinese government to embrace the ‘Middle Way’ approach, allowing Tibetan people to vote for their representatives in China.
Public talks, other meetings and visits
On 9 August, President Dr Lobsang Sangay gave a talk on ‘The question of Tibet in International law, Chinese Constitution and domestic law’ at Australian National University (ANU), hosted by ANU College Associate Prof. Ales Bruce.
President Dr Lobsang Sangay speaking on ‘The question of Tibet in International law, Chinese Constitution and domestic law’ at Australian National University (ANU), hosted by ANU College Associate Prof. Ales Bruce.
On 7 August, the President addressed members of Tibetan community in Nowra, Sydney.
On 6 August, President Dr Sangay visited the Rigney Kyitsel week end classes at Manly Mackellar Girls High School, and addressed Tibetan community in New South Wales.
On 5 August, Dr Sangay spoke at the Sydney Opera House on ‘Tibet in the 21st century – politically, environmentally, economically and cultural challenges’.
The president also held meeting with the International commission of Jurists (ICJ), presided over by John Dowd, the president of the ICJ Australia at Grace Hotel, Sydney and visited the Exodus Foundation of Rev Bill Crews in Sydney.
President Dr Lobsang Sangay speaking at the Sydney Opera House.