TPI Hosts International Symposium on Strategic Responses to Global Change in Dharamsala
By Yangchen Lhamu
DHARAMSALA, 11 Sept: Tibet Policy Institute (TPI), the research wing of the Central Tibetan Administration(CTA), held a day-long International Symposium on Finding Common Ground: Strategic Responses in a Changing Global Order at the Library of Tibetan Works and Archives here on Tuesday.
The event was attended by a diverse audience comprising international attendees and Tibetan intellectuals. The primary focus of this symposium was to foster a common understanding between Tibet and Taiwan to develop a common alliance against the draconian policies of the CCP and implement effective methods to weaken CCP control.
The international attendees and speakers were Sang Pu, Chairman of the Taiwan-Hong Kong Association; Yang Wangli, Burmese Freedom Movement; Du Keke, Chairman of the Taiwan-Myanmar Citizens Association; Yu Dahai, President of Beijing Spring Magazine & Director of Human Rights in China, US; and Yingjun, Tibet Supporter, Taiwan.
Researchers from the Tibet Policy Institute, namely Dr Tsewang Dorji, Phenthok, and Dhondup Wangmo, also spoke at the symposium, while Dechen Palmo, and Dr Kusang Dolma were the moderators.
Tempa Gyaltsen Zamlha, Deputy Director of TPI, welcomed the guests and attendees as he kicked off the Inaugural Session of the Symposium.
Thereafter, Dawa Tsering, Director of TPI, delivered the keynote address and spoke on the primary objective behind the Symposium. He stated that in 1989, Tibetans revolted from Lhasa, and simultaneously a group of Chinese revolted from Beijing against the Communist regime of the PRC.
He further added that there had been a lack of coordination and understanding between the Tibetans and the Chinese who revolted against the same harsh, brutal regime of the PRC.
“The Uyghurs, Tibetans, and Hongkongers are small in number; hence, we must be united and speak collectively about our common issues,” he said, adding, “We need to focus on our similarities instead of differences and focus on our common adversary, the PRC.”
He further opined, “To put greater pressure on the PRC, we simply cannot focus or talk solely about the Tibet issue; instead, we need to speak about other issues relating to Taiwan, Hong Kong, and other places that are being controlled by the PRC to a great extent.”
In conclusion, this International Symposium represents a significant step in the TPI’s efforts to build a united front of diverse voices from Tibet, Taiwan, Hong Kong, and the Uyghur – countries under the oppression of the CCP regime – to tackle the CCP’s growing influence and to formulate new policies to counter China amid shifting international politics. The diverse participation underscored the shared challenges faced by various groups under CCP influence. The organisers also stated that, owing to visa complications, scholars from the Uyghur community were unable to attend the symposium.
