Dharamshala, 8th January: Representative Tashi Phuntsok met with Taiwanese Representative Ming-Yen Tsai at his office today, January 7, as per CTA’s official website tibet.net. For the first time since Mr. Tsai took over the Office, both representatives are meeting in person. Tsai has taken the place of Harry Tseng, who is now Taiwan’s Deputy Foreign Minister and with whom the Office of Tibet had close ties and who attended a number of Office of Tibet events, including a photo exhibition in the European Parliament and annual receptions to commemorate His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s birthday.

According to tibet.net, Representative Phuntsok informed them of the deteriorating situation in Tibet, East Turkistan, South Mongolia, Hong Kong, and Taiwan as a result of China’s oppressive and belligerent policies and postures. Despite China’s 60-year occupation of Tibet, the Representative stated unequivocally that China has been unable to suffocate Tibetan resistance and break the Tibetan people’s resilience. He emphasized his support for the Taiwanese people, who face a daily military danger from China.

The website further claimed that representative Tsai expressed gratitude for the visit by the Tibetan Representative in Brussels. The former then delivered an outline of China’s policies in the region, including human rights breaches, and the problems and opportunities they present. He discussed the EU’s various initiatives in relation to EU-China relations, including an official delegation’s visit to Taiwan, the suspension of the EU-China Comprehensive Agreement on Investments (CAI), and the EU’s various steps to protect Lithuania following the opening of the Taipei Representative Office there.

Meanwhile, Representative Phuntsok noted the United States’ recent strong positions on the Tibet problem. The Tibet Policy and Support Act, the Reciprocal Access Act, and the Magnitsky Act, to name a few. The European Union has also taken initiatives, such as the Magnitsky Act and CAI, to retaliate against China for not adhering to international norms of a “level playing field.” He hoped that the EU would strengthen its views in order to prevent “Chinese Characteristics” from encroaching on the EU’s core values.

In light of the looming challenges, both Representatives agreed to work more closely together. Representative Phuntsok had met with the Taiwanese Representative in Paris, Francoise Chih-Chung Wu, earlier in December 2021.

Image source – tibet.net

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