Virtues of Tibet's Resolution on China

By Tenzin Lekshay

Sikyong Dr. Lobsang Sangay

Over the last few decades, exiled Tibetan administration under the political leadership of His Holiness the Dalai Lama pursued Middle Way Policy to resolve Tibet's long pending crisis with People's Republic of China. In 2011, Sikhong Dr. Lobsang Sangay after succeeding His Holiness the Dalai Lama when latter voluntarily devolved Tibet’s political authority pledged to continue embracing Middle Way Policy. Since day one, Sikyong called for dialogue anyway and anytime. But the Chinese government did not respond positively despite having been complimented by many Chinese people. Even many world leaders urged China to resume the dialogue, which went deadlock in 2010. It is particularly interesting to know why China is indifferent yet continues to enforce hard line policies inside Tibet. As a result of such repressive policy, we have witnessed widespread demonstrations in 2008 and a wave of self-immolations that continue to burn Tibet, calling for freedom and the return of His Holiness the Dalai Lama.

Tibetans in Exile: Democracy and Activism

By Tenzin Lekshay

His Holiness the Dalai Lama with Dr. Lobsang Sangay
(Courtesy:Harish Tyagi/EPA) 

Since the devolution of political leadership by His Holiness the Dalai Lama in 2011, Dr. Lobsang Sangay, then the newly elected Kalon Tripa was bestowed with the authority that the former inherited from Tagdra Rinpoche. However, in 2012, the Tibetan parliament decided upon changing the title of Kalon Tripa to Sikyong, which literarily means political leader. Some amongst the Tibetan critics raised skeptic questions about the legitimacy of change in title, which they fear are misleading and undemocratic.  It is therefore, important to understand the all over democratic process in exile, that emanated such transfer of power.

Assessment on Ladakh Incursion: Ignoring Tibet

By Tenzin Lekshay

Courtesy: Manjul

A month ahead of Li Keqiang, the new Chinese premier's planned visit to India, Chinese troops yet again played their game by sneaking into Indian territory. This time, unlike earlier incursions, they pitched tents in Depsang Bulge area of Ladakh. It is now confirmed that supply lines are on their way, which somehow gives a clue that they are not planning to retreat from their newest found base in India. The government of India initially downplay the recent incursion by calling it an acne. Such may be because, India wants to prepare for a grand red carpet reception for the visiting Li. But, now, with the seriousness of what is happening in Depsang Bulge, and its future implications on India's security, both the civilian and the military leaders are on their feet to discuss about the possible way out to push back the intruding Chinese troops.

Xi-Li-Administration – High Expection is Inappropiate

 By Tsewang Norbu

Presentation at the International Conference “China´s New Leadership: Challenges for Human Rights, Democracy and Freedom in East Turkestan, Tibet and Southern Mongolia” in Geneva from March 11 to 13, 2013 organized by the World Uyghur Congress and UNPO, GfbV and NED.

The Chinese president, Xi Jinping (right), shakes hands
with the newly-confirmed premier, Li Keqiang.
Photograph: Lintao Zhang/Getty Images

I would like to thank the organizers of this conference in giving me the opportunity to share with you today my personal views on the prospects of change in China´s Tibet policy in the aftermath of this leadership transition.

For the second successive time in the history of Communist China a smooth transition of power has taken place from the 4th to the 5th leadership generation, called first officially core and later leadership collective.

While the guiding ideology of the first leadership generation under Mao Zedong and later the Gang of Four was the class struggle and socialist revolution, the second leadership generation with Deng Xiaoping at the top, who also played a key role in the first generation, refocused the guiding ideology to economic construction and stability.