Sikyong with members of Tibetan community in Nowra, Sydney, August 7 Photo: tibet.net
The President of the Central Tibetan Administration, Dr Lobsang Sangay, is on an official visit to Australia to raise support for the Tibetan cause.
Dr Sangay began his visit with a luncheon meeting with the International commission of Jurists (ICJ) where he talked about Tibet’s past, present and the Middle Way Approach policy of the Central Tibetan Administration. Dr Sangay said people of the free world have a “moral responsibility” to support the issue of Tibet.
This was followed by a talk at Sydney Opera House which was sold out. In his talk Tibet in the 21st century – political, environmental, economic and cultural challenges he spoke of the Tibetan self-immolation protests that number nearly a hundred and fifty, saying this is the “last resort Tibetans are left with, in the face of growing repression from China”.
Dr Sangay attended a Tibetan-Chinese Friendship dinner. Around a dozen Chinese people – intellectuals, activists and students – attended the informal gathering aimed at bringing the two communities closer through dialogue and understanding.
At a meeting with Chinese intellectuals Dr Sangay said that the prospect of bringing about democracy in China should be “seen as an exciting opportunity to bring change in China and the world.” More than a hundred Chinese people attended this meeting.
Later, addressing a gathering of former political prisoners, Dr Sangay reminded them of the need to continue to work for the Tibetan cause saying, “Advocating for the Tibetan cause by the Tibetans (here) carries greater weight and significance since you are the very people who suffered and saw the tragic situation under the China’s rule first hand”.
Speaking to the human Rights Sub Committee of the Australian Parliament, Dr Sanjay appealed that “Any projects that China undertake must be environmentally sustainable, culturally sensitive and economically beneficial to local Tibetans”.
At the National Press Club Dr Sanjay warned Australians that “What happened to us could easily happen to you.” He repeated this call in an interview with ABC News in Melbourne.
On August 12, he participated in an interactive session with Chinese intellectuals, democracy activists and scholars.
Dr Sangay’s official visit to Australia ended on August 13.
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