The probable president of the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA), Penpa Tsering, intends to approach the Chinese government in order to facilitate the Dalai Lama’s visit to China. The 14th Dalai Lama, who will be 86 this year, has expressed an interest in visiting China. If the attempt succeeds, it will be his first visit to China after fleeing Lhasa in 1959 after a failed rebellion against Beijing.
In an exclusive interview with THE WEEK, the 53 years old Penpa Tsering said, “I want to take up the matter with the Chinese government through various channels.” Penpa Tsering hopes to carry Beijing to the negotiation table with the Dalai Lama’s representative to resolve the Sino-Tibetan conflict at a time when China continues to make territorial advances across the Himalayan region.
Penpa Tsering said that young Tibetans all over the world would soon have the opportunity to directly participate in raising concerns about Chinese mass migration on the Tibetan plateau, as well as the alleged degradation of Tibetan identity, language, and religious freedom.
“I have agreed to form a global Tibetan advocacy group to enlist the help of young Tibetans, college students, and professionals from at least 25 countries to work toward resolving the conflict in Tibet and reminding China that the issues cannot be ignored,” he said.
“We will also work with the governments of India and the United States to bring pressure on China to resolve the Sino-Tibet dispute,” he said.
The Chief Justice Commissioner administers the oath to Penpa in May. Penpa, however, will have to wait until the new justice commissioner takes over after the three judges of the exile Tibetan apex court were impeached.
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