Administrators at Dickinson State University say they’ve been working to ease some international disputes.

The most recent incident involved a “Free Tibet” bumper sticker. A group of Chinese students felt the sticker was disrespectful and gathered around the car to seek an explanation.

Dickinson State resident director Corey Michalos says no one was hurt and campus security helped defuse the situation. He says it was pretty peaceful, but it could have overwhelmed the driver of the car.

Chinese students met the day after the incident and decided to make T-shirts that show opposition to Tibet, saying it is part of China.

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Two current and high-profile events - the crisis in and around Tibet following the Lhasa riots of 14 March 2008, and the sixtieth anniversary of the establishment on 14 May 1948 of the state of Israel - have more in common than it may first appear. Indeed, their commonalities are shared to a degree by other political and ethnic disputes across the world, to the extent that they compose a distinct phenomenon - which may be termed “the syndrome of post-colonial sequestration”.

The category may sound abstract but the lived experience it denotes is real and multiple: that is, the cases where countries or peoples have - at a decisive moment of international change, amid the retreat of imperial or hegemonic powers - failed (through bad timing and / or bad leadership) to established their independence.

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(A profile of Woeser, written by Washington Post’s Beijing correspondent Jill Drew is here.)

May 9, 2008

On May 4, I made a statement on my blog that I would temporarily stop “the Record of the Important Events”. The reason for is that the Dalai Lama’s envoys’ talk with the Chinese side ended that day. It seemed that this could be seen as an end to the protests against the despotic rule of Tibet and the repressions of them since March 10, and it is also an expectation that the situation of Tibetan areas is easing. However, what makes one not optimistic is that incidents still occur frequently in the vast Tibetan areas, and the suffering of the Tibetan people has not been alleviated. In view of this, the Record of the Important Events, which has been suspended for five days, will continue, but not necessarily a daily record.

It is learnt that two Tibetan students at the Institute of Tibetan Studies under the Northwest University for Nationalities were denied their right to sit for the second part of examination for M.A. program, and this has something to do with the demonstration and quiet sit-in participated by several hundred Tibetan students on March 16. One student is Gartu Tsering from Kanlho (Ch. Gannan) Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, and the other is Drolma from Ngawa (Ch. Aba) Tibetan and Qiang Autonomous Prefecture. The school authorities inquired whether they had been involved in the demonstration and the quiet sit-in, and they admitted that they did. After that, when the school authorities announced the retest list for M.A. program, their names were not on it. It is alleged that the school authorities cancelled their right to retest.

According to some people from a certain university in Xi’an, at present in the various universities in Xi’an, the authorities dispatched the official “Tibetologists” to introduce the official account of Tibetan “history” and the evil deeds of the “”Dalai Separatist Clique” to the faculty and staff. These are only propaganda without any discussions. In accordance with an analysis, similar propaganda may be carried out in the various colleges and universities in China. At the same time, the school authorities convened meetings, demanding the teachers to exercise self-discipline before the Olympics and not to speak irresponsibly. Tibetan monks who are studying or on business trips to Xi’an have to change into civilian clothes when they go out, and the reason is that when they are in their kasaya (monastic robes), they will be pointed at by many people, and some will even be stopped and condemned as “Tibetan Separatists”.

Although the two sides have begun to hold dialogues, the Chinese Communist authorities continued to criticize the Dalai Lama. It was just yesterday Tibet Daily published an comment with harsh wording, which is entitled “Dalai is the Reactionary Politician in Kasaya who is Engaging in Activities to Split the Motherland”.

Some of the people arrested were released, but they had to pay a very high amount of fines. It is learnt that Dabe (Ch. Dabei), the folk artist from Golok (Ch. Guoluo) Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture in Qinghai Province who was arrested on March 31, was released, but the condition is for him to pay 10,000 yuan. The singer Dromakyi who was arrested on the same day is still in prison because her family can not afford to pay the fine. Dromakyi has three young children and an old mother. It is said that she may be sentenced to several years in prison. According to the Chinese law, after the detention lasts for over 37 days, the police is obligated to issue the arrest notice to the detainee’s family members, otherwise, it will be considered to be extended custody. But Dromakyi’s family has not received any notice. Drolmakyi was arrested on the grounds that she herself sang songs praising and miss the Dalai Lama and allowed other singers to do so in the Makye Ama Nangma Singing Hall run by herself. The singer who was arrested on the same day sang in his album the following lyrics: “ The sun or the moon is not here, and our hope are gone. Is this the karmic fate for us Tibetans?” (“The sun and the moon are similes for the Dalai Lama and the Panchen Lama).

The hard-line policy toward the Tibetan monasteries and monks are still being implemented. Though it is reported that over 350 monks in Sera Monastery and over 400 monks in Drepung Monastery held religious ceremonies one after another, but earlier each monastery has about one thousand monks, thus, it is clear that we do not know the details about the situation of over half of the monks in these monasteries, and the entire situation is clouded with suspicions. In addition, on May 6 in Polha Monastery in Sangchu (Ch. Xiahe) County in Amdo (Kanlho [Gannan] Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Gansu Province) the work team demanded the monks to worship Dorje Shuten, the devil despised by Tibetan Buddhist circle, but this was opposed by all the monks. On May 3 in a Bonpo monastery in Tapa area in Tawu (Ch. Daofu) County in Kham the work team carried out the “Patriotic Education Campaign”, and forcefully held the ceremony to raise and hang the Five-starred Red Flag, but the red flag was taken down by the monks in the evening. Similarly, due to the fact that monks in two monasteries in Wado area in Nyachukha (ch. Yangjiang) County in Kham (Ganzi Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Sichuan Province) refused to hang the Five-Starred Red Flag and to criticize the Dalai Lama, one important Lama named Akho Ako and the reincarnated Rinpoche Thubten were arrested and taken to the county seat. Since May 1, in Ganzi County in Kham (Ganzi Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Sichuan Province) the authorities held meetings, demanding every monastery and eveyy household must hang the Five-Starred Red Flag and criticize the “Dalai Separatist Clique.”

Although the pressure from the authorities is very strong, yet protests by the Tibetan people are still occurring. On May 1, over 300 nuns in Wada Nunnery in Simu Township in Drakgo (Ch. Luhuo) County in Kham (Ganzi Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Sichuan Province) hang two-kilometers-long slogan banners outside of the nunnery, demanding for religious freedom. The head of the nunnery and many nuns were taken to be investigated in the township government, and later the Religious Affair Bureau in Drakgo County dispatched the work team to station in the township government, and also went to carry out the “Patriotic Education Campaign” in the nunnery. On the afternoon of May 7, the nun Lhatrul from Taga Monastery in Seshiti Township in Ganzi County in Kham (Ganzi Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Sichuan Province) and the villager Bibi (a former nun in Taga Monastery) from Bendegang village in Seshiti Township went to the county seat, shouting such slogans as “Tibet Independence” and “the Long Life to the Dalai Lama”, and immediately they were arrested by the police.

It is learned that Tibetans who were killed due to being arrested or beaten recently are as follows: the 38-year-old Nakchung (Ch. Naqiong) from Gyaru region in Nagwa (Ch. Aba) County in Amdo (Ngawa Tibetan and Qiang Autonomous Prefecture, Sichuan Province) was arrested on march 18 because of her participation in the protests occurred in March 16 and March 17,and she was cruelly tortured. She was released on March 26, but she died on April 17 due to the severe injury. The 38-year-old Akar Tashi from Lhatok Township (the hometown of the Dharma King the 17th Karmapa ) in Chamdo County in Kham (Chamdo Prefecture, TAR) was accused of being involved in March 14 Incident in Lhasa, and when the police were arresting him on May 4, he resisted the arrest with a knife and stabbed a police officer, then he was shot and killed by another police on the spot.

In addition, on April 18 the famous monk-writer Sangpo was arrested in Lanzhou. He is a monk from Mushihe Township in Machu county in Amdo (Kanlho [Gannan] Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Gansu Province), where he established a private school known as “Shide Gyatso” (Ocean of Peace). He is also a member of a charitable foundation and is the editor-in-chief of Tibetan language periodicals published by Machu County Tibetan Middle School and Machu County Primary School. He was accused of inciting Tibetans in Machu County to participate in demonstration and sending to people outside of China such documents as the photos and video-clips of the suppression etc. On April 28 in Dari County in Amdo (Golok Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Qinghai Province) when the local vice squad arrested the monk called Chodo, shooting occurred. While Chodo was killed on the spot, his mother Wangdron were shot twice and were severely injured. Later, Chodo’s parents, four brothers and sisters and a reincarnated Lama were all arrested and taken away to the county seat.

The 21 Chinese lawyers who signed their signature and openly announced that they would provide to Tibetans arrested such legal services as legal representatives and defense lawyers were severely suppressed by the authorities. Zhou Yongkang, the standing member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and the party secretary of the Central Political and Law Commission, sent a special memo concerning this issue; the law firms where these lawyers are working were forbidden by the bureaus/departments of judicature to accept the entrust by the Tibetans, and the annual inspection and registration of their law firms would also be postponed. As for the lawyers themselves, the annual inspection and registration for many of them have also been postponed. Those who signed their signatures but have not participated in the annual inspection yet will also met with the same fate that theirs will also be postponed. The President of the Beijing Bar Association claimed that they will use their wisdom to smash the “ rice bowl” for those lawyers who signed their names on the statement. Since the first ten day period of April up to now, one after another the law firms where the lawyers who signed their names are working received the following notice from the Administration Section of Lawyers under Beijing Municipal Bureau of Judicature: The lawyers from your law firm are involved in representing some sensitive cases, therefore, the annual inspection and registration of your firms will be temporarily postpones. Person of contact: Feng Xinquan, contact Phone: (8610) 58575631, ” ” the annual inspection and registration of the so and so lawyer from your law firm is temporarily postponed.”

On April 29, 2008 the Ngwa Prefectural (Ch. Aba) authorities held the annual business training for lawyers, urging all lawyers to “unify their thinking and action with the unified plan of the central, provincial and state party committees and governments, to coordinate closely with the work arrangement of the prefectural and county party committees and governments, clearly to understand the situation, heighten their vigilance and take practical action to fight back the Dalai clique’s separatist and sabotage acts. ”

Yesterday morning, the Beijing Olympic torch reached the top of Mount Everest. There are five mountaineers who were responsible for the torch relay to the top of the mountain, three of whom are Tibetans. To this end, Tingri County in Shigatse Prefecture in TAR near Mount Everest was garrisoned by a great number of armed police, and its tourism to the outside world was also stopped completely. It is learnt that although the climbing routes had been blocked, the Mt. Everest Olympic torch relay team was surprised to see other mountaineers in the course of climbing, and they considered this as disruption by “Tibetan separatists”. On June 2, the torch relay will be held in Lhasa.

A Chinese journalist who visited Lhasa in April went to Lhasa as a tourist witnessed that several military police on duty were holding theirs guns and pointing at the monastery in front of the Ramoche Temple, but after April 30 the outpost was removed, and these police were dressing up as tourists and monitoring the vicinity. Once an old Tibetan woman threw stones at her, and another time a Tibetan beggar did so, too. She went to a beggar’s home in the concentrated Tibetan inhabited area named Karma Kunsang. The beggar came from Chamdo, and his father was arrested. She also met a Han Chinese woman who is running a school in Lhasa, and this woman hates Tibetans. The woman told her that the number of the Han Chinese (including soldiers) killed by Tibetans during March 14 Incident is over 200, and claimed that they died of stones and knives. The journalist told the woman she could not believe it, but she was reprimanded by the women.

Yesterday afternoon the Dalai Lama’s envoys said in Dharamsala that the meeting in Shenzhen on May 4 is the first step in the right direction, and the two sides agreed to meet again. Soon the date of the next formal talks will be announced.

Read also Tibet Update (1), Tibet Update (2), Tibet Update (3) April 15 - 27 and Tibet Update (4) April 29 - 30, Tibet Update (May 1 - 6, 2008).

In a meeting with the Japanese foreign minister, Masahiko Komakura, Yang countered with a warning over Tibet. “If you say anything further on this matter, it will consist of an infringement on our domestic affairs,” The Mainichi Shimbun newspaper reported. To this, Komakura replied, “I am annoyed to be told of an infringement on domestic matters while I am advising you as a friend.”

These remarkable exchanges are important for a variety of reasons. For one, although categories are sometimes stretched, Japan is not a Western country. If not mutually exclusive, its reasons for caring deeply about events in Tibet are rather different from those of the West, whose traditional human rights discourse has been painted, cynically or perversely, as a hostile doctrine by some in China.

Japan’s Buddhist roots incline it toward natural sympathy with the people of Tibet and toward concern for religious freedom there. To be sure, China may see still Japan through the mirror of its violent past, but today Japan sees China through the mirror of its own constitutional pacifism and it worries deeply what kind of neighbor is China becoming.

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Video shot secretly in the Kardze [in Chinese, Ganzi] Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture shows Buddhist monks at home in their monasteries.

Wei Si, a pseudonym for the journalist who recorded it, was interrogated on several occasions, and he feared he would face arrest.

In most shots, Wei tried to obscure the identities of the lamas by photographing them from the side. One senior monk, however, was defiant. “I am so old I am not afraid of anything,” he said, looking directly into the camera.

“I still support the Olympics—because it’s a good thing, and will bring honor to the Chinese people,” he said, referring to an international outcry against hosting the summer Olympic Games in Beijing given China’s heavy-handed treatment of Tibetans.

Waiting for the Dalai Lama:

We Are Not Free:

For more video coverage from RFA, including its nine-part series on Tibet, see the RFAVideo channel on YouTube.

Live television footage showed a Chinese mountaineering team holding up a specially designed torch — separate from the main Olympic flame — along with Chinese and Olympic flags on the peak of Mount Everest.

“One World, One Dream,” one of the climbers said on the approach to the peak, repeating the slogan for the Olympics. “We have lit the torch on top of the world,” another climber said.

For a look at what the Everest torch relay has been like for foreign journalists sent to cover it, read the Countdown to Beijing blog by the Reuters reporters.

Q: What is your current situation? [Note: The interview was conducted in 2006]

Woeser: A few years ago, in one of my books I wrote: “My writing has become clearer, unequivocal. I will be a witness. I will be looking for, discovering, revealing and spreading a secret, which will be astonishing”. This is the expectation I have.

“Speaking the truth” is a basic requisite for being an author but today, in my situation, I have to pay for it. For example, after I published my essay collection “Tibet Notes”, I was punished in many ways, which directly affected my right to survive, so I had to leave Lhasa to become an independent author outside of that political structure. On the one hand I feel relatively free now not to have to obey any official will, on the other hand, as I have had to leave Lhasa, I feel I have somehow become a refugee; it has made me very sad.

(A profile of Woeser, written by Washington Post’s Beijing correspondent Jill Drew is here.)

May 6

This is a record of events that have happened in Tibet between March 10 and May 5 totaling almost 60,000 characters.

During this time my blog has been attacked twice but both times I eventually regained control.

Announcement: The record of events is to be temporarily suspended on May 5; records will continue if there are later events.

May 4

The One-day talk between Tibet’s spiritual leader the Dalai Lama’s special envoys and two Vice Ministers of United Front Work Department already ended, but the two sides have not reached any agreement on how to resolve the political turmoil in Tibet. For many Tibetans, this is an expected but still sad result. It is learnt that many exiled Tibetans outside China have had positive attitude toward the talk, therefore, they were very discouraged. Tibetans in China hold that the Chinese side is not sincere about the talk. Compared with the earlier six rounds of talk, the level of this talk is reduced as they only dispatched vice ministers. Though the Chinese announced to the outside world this is an informal meeting, but given the current situation in Tibet and the imminent Beijing Olympics to be heald soon, this talk has drawn much more attention than any of the earlier talks. The Chinese netizens ridiculed the action saying “next time it will do just to dispatch a bureau chief,” or “the city management will be able to deal with the issue, do not bother the Chairman and the Prime Minister too much.” Some Tibetans also pointed out that the talk is just a show, and it will only be beneficial to the Chinese side. The CCP can set their mind at rest to hold the Beijing Olympic, and the heads of the western countries can also rest assured to attend the Olympics. The sacrifices made by the Tibetans will all be wasted. However, does the CCP really think that they can drag on like this until the Olympics is over?

The large-scale theme exhibition entitled “ Tibet’s Past and Present ” is being held in Beijing Nationality Palace Museum from April 30 to July 15. It is sponsored by the Central United Front Work Department, the State Council Information Office, the State Commission for Nationality Affairs and Tibet Autonomous Region ( Its website address: http://finance.cctv.com/special/xzjx/01). No tickets are sold, and visitors can obtain tickets by showing their I.D. cards. The visitors need to go through security check at the entrance, and their bags also need to be checked. Drinks are prohibited there. There are a great number of security guards. With the themes known as “Tibetan History and the Feudal Serfdom System” and “Ever-changing New Tibet,” the exhibition is creating reasons for the claim that “Tibet has been an inalienable part of China since time immemorial,” and is making great effort to demonize pre-1959 Tibet. Many Chinese people are brainwashed, and some of them wrote the following words on the visitor’s book: “Down with Tibet independence, and Safeguarding Unity.” Pointing at such instruments of punishment as wooden cangue as well as human skin in the showcases, an old woman said to her grandson, “Dalai did all these…” One official is saying “How much benefits we have given to them, and they still revolt, why?” The Chinese official media reports that the “Chinese Panchen Lama” recognized by the China visited the exhibition today; we also see Yang Chuantang, the former party secretary of TAR, and the parents of the “Chinese Panchen Lama.”

At the time when Beijing Olympics is approaching, in view of the distrust of Tibetans and Uighurs, Beijing has started to investigate Tibetans and Uighurs. The main method is for the neighborhood committees to check each household with such excuses as “checking whether people follow the family planning policy,” etc. If they find Tibetan and Uighur tenants, the police will take them away very quickly. In addition, in other regions the authorities have also put into effect preventive measures in large-scale. On April 30, Yuncheng Municipal Party Committee of Shanxi Province convened a telephone conference with the major leaders of the various county party committees and the county government, urgently planning emergency measures to strictly guard against people for Tibetan independence and Falonggong practitioners. It is learned that recently at Guangzhou Railway Station the authorities captured two “Tibetan separatists” who “were about to bomb the train,” thus, at present, the security check at railway stations are strict, and everybody will pale at the mere mention of “Tibetan Separatists.”

It is reported that on May 1, the Ramoche Temple and the “Tripa Lhakhang” ( the Hall of the Buddha of Infinite Longevity) opened to the public, and some believers and some who pretended to be believers went to pay homage. The sentries at the gate of Ramoche Temple and near the intersection have already been removed, but there were many undercover agents in civilian clothes who posed as tourists. There is a work team in the courtyard. There are only approximately 30 monks reciting sutra in the hall, and the atmosphere was stifling. There are originally 28 monks in the “Tripa Lhakang.” Eight of them were arrested, and later five of them were released, but the remaining three will probably be sentenced to jail terms. These three are on the most wanted list. It is learned that recently there will also be Tibetans to be sentenced, and it might be possible that some will receive death penalty. The Lhundrup County in Lhasa Municipality started to release some Tibetans arrested, but they had to hand in 3,000 Yuan. The 31-year-old Dawa from Dedrung Village in Jangkha Township, Lhundrup County was released on March 27 when he was on the verge of death as a result of cruel torture and severe beating, but he passed away on April 1. Twenty Tibetans who were arrested from Ganden Chokho Monastery in Lhundrup County, Lhasa Municipality in March have already been transferred to Lhasa Prison.

The various work units in Lhasa, Nachu, Chamdo, Lingtri, Shigatse and Lhokha (Ch. Shannan) ordered all the employees to make donation to people who suffered from “beating, smashing, looting and burning” of March 14 Incident. The Nachu authorities demanded everybody to donate at least 100 Yuan, but we do not know the details about other regiosn.

On April 26, when the work team carried out the “Patriotic Education Campaign” in Pada Sangdruling Monastery in Dzinda Towship in Dzachukha (Ch. Shiqu) County in Kham (Ganzi Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Sichuan Province), they demanded the monks to sign their names on an official document whose content they did not know, but many monks refused to do so. Up to now we do not know where Gelek Thabkhe, Gelek Drapa, Tenzing Puntso ¾three monks from this monastery who were arrested in Lhasa in March ¾ are imprisoned.

May 3

Corrections: On May 1st I wrote that “Jamyang Rinpoche, the abbot of Labrang Monastery (the deputy president of China Buddhist Association, the director of the Advanced Buddhism College of Tibetan Language Family and the director of Gansu Provincial Buddhist association) sent a telegram to the Chinese officials concerning the issue…”, but it is the wrong information. The person who reported to the authorities that the military police destroyed and even plundered the cultural relics of the monastery is the Great Geshe Jamyang Gyatso (Ch. Jiamuyang Jiacuo) of the Labrang Monastery (the deputy president of China Buddhist Association, the sutra teacher for the Eleventh Panchen Lama recognized by China. His name is also written as Jiayang Jiacuo in Chinese ).

The foreign media reported that the two special envoys of the Dalai Lama will travel to Shengzhen via Hong Kong, and will hold talks with the Chinese side. The official Chinese media did not report this news, but the Wenhui Newspaper in Hong Kong and the Hong Kong based Phoenix Television Station and others reported the news, and they also published the photos of these two envoys. What needs to point out is that they published the wrong photo of the special envoy Kelsang Gyaltsen. The special envoy Kelsang Gyaltsen is the Dalai Lama’s special envoy to Europe and has participated in Sino-Tibetan talks for several times. However, the photo published is that of Kelsang Gyaltsen, the Assembly of Tibetan People’s Deputies under the Tibetan Government in Exile and the member of Tibetan Solidarity Committee of the Tibetan Government in Exile.

Some Tibetans say that Tibetan CCP official are completely useless. They should make their standpoints known and let the outside would hear their voice, rather than becoming the mouthpiece of the CCP. Tibetan people will support them. But, will they have enough courage to do so? The fear makes them realize that their lives will be ruined if they express people’s opinions. In Tibet we need courageous leaders. We miss the Tenth Panchen Lama. Without brave leadership and independent intellectuals, the sacrifice made by the common people is wasted.

It is very regrettable that today when the seventh talk between the Tibetan and Chinese governments is about to begin, the official Chinese media still uses Cultural Revolution like languages to demonize the Dalai Lama. For instance, Tibet Daily published the article entitled “ The Dalai Clique is the one who Sabotage the Normal Order of Tibetan Buddhism (part one)”, written by a Tibetan named Dramdul from the United Front Department of the Central Government of CCP. Though he is not a monk, yet he posed as a mouthpiece of Buddhism to affirm that speeches and deeds of “the Dalai Clique” destroyed the normal religious activities of Tibetan Buddhism. He claims that they violated the teachings of Buddha Shakyamuni, went against the most basic precepts of Buddhism and blasphemed the sprit and tradition of Buddhist patriotism.” Furthermore, for instance, the lead news story is entitled “The True Face of Tibet Youth Congress: the Daring Vanguard of “Tibet Independence” from Violence to Terror,” claiming that the reason for the “Tibet Youth Congress” to grow in strength and put a spin on the situation is closely connected to the secret order the Fourteenth Dalai Lama. In addition, the decisions of the Dalai Clique also have deep “marks” of “Tibet Youth Congress,” etc.

In Lhasa the authorities have created the appearance of harmony. The soldiers who were on duty all took off their uniforms and dressed up as tourists to walk around everywhere. Most soldiers on guard duty changed into the police uniforms, and the same soldier would change into uniforms for ground force, armed police and policemen. The authorities also created the false appearance of the freedom for religious belief. While some work units notified their employees their place of work is to circumambulate the Potala Palace, the neighborhood committees also organized and encouraged people to go on circumambulation tour and to pay homage in Sera Monastery which has been ordered to open to the public by the authorities themselves. They rewarded these people for doing so with bonuses. It is learned that recently there will be another journalist group, including foreign journalists, to visit Lhasa. In order to show that people enjoy the right to hold demonstrations freely, some work units will organize their employees to hold demonstrations, and the content for holding the demonstrations is about some trivial matters.

Besides holding the mobilization assembly with the education activities focusing on “Opposing separatism, safeguarding stability and promoting development,” every work unit in Lhasa also convenes at least one session of the “political study” a week. There are more meetings for the party members. All people, including college students and people of all nationalities, must write articles to “expose and criticize the Dalai Separatist Clique,” and they had to read their articles on the assemblies. They had to named the Dalai Lama and denounce him, in addition, they could only say “Dalai”, and could not add the word “Lama,” otherwise, they would be considered to be someone whose standpoints were not firm. Many Tibetans’ feelings are rather complex. Though they are angry, yet they can not doing anything; they are humiliated, but are very scared as well. Some Tibetan students at the School of Arts and Science under Tibet University were arrested.

Recently some people who were arrested during the March 14 Incident without any reasons were released. It is learned that they were arrested one after another after March 14. While some of them were arrested on their way home from their offices, others were arrested when they were asleep late at night. Many people were locked up in the warehouse of the railway station. Those who were tortured include: Some were forced to shoulder the instruments of torture when they were tortured, thus, those who shouldered the iron club had broken ribs; those who carried mechanical springs had their flesh cut off; those who carried electric wire lost consciousness as they were shocked, etc. Some of them were not given water to drink, so they had to drink each other’s urine, but in the end they did not even have urine to drink. Every day they were thrown a few steamed bread, and all the people would fight for them. Every four or five days they would be transferred to different places. Since they were transferred late at night, they did not where they had been.

However, in other Tibetan areas tragedies which pain the Tibetans continue to happen. On the morning of April 30 in Gonsar Monastery Ñü the old Geluk Monastery of Kham in Derge [Ch. Dege] County, Kham (Ganzi Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Sichuan Province) Ñü the work team force the monks to sign their names in the official document entitled “Expose and Criticize the Dalai Separatist Clique”, and also demanded each monk to hand in two photos to paste on the document. The authorities threatened the monks if they did not obey the order, the monastery would be closed. The monks voluntarily gathered at the Hall of the Protective Deity, and took the oath in front of the image of the protective deity that they would rather die than signing their names. We do not know any details about the immediate situation.

On April 28 in the village near Wonpo Monastery in Dzachukha [Ch. Shiqu] County in Kham (Ganzi Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Sichuan Province) the military police searched the villagers’ houses, and destroyed the Dalai Lama’s photos worshipped by the villagers. A woman named Drilhamo was extremely grieved and hanged herself; an old monk over seventy-years old became mentally deranged. Earlier when the authorities held the ceremony to hang the Chinese flag, due to the fact that nobody except a monk attended the ceremony, they had to cancel it. Some local villagers were arrested.

In the last ten day period of March, when the work team was carrying out the “Patriotic Education Campaign” in Seshul Monastery in Kham (Dzachukha [Ch. Shiqu] County, Ganzi Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Sichuan Province), the well-respected reincarnated Lama Thubten Nyandra said, “ It is totally without any bases to claim that this incident was masterminded by the Dalai Lama. The cause for this incident is that a great number of Han immigrants moved to Tibet to plunder the land resources, and to rob the locals of their rights to receive education and to work. There is no Tibetan who does not want to believe in the Dalai Lama. The Chinese government should hold talks with the Dalai Lama as soon as possible.” From that time on, Thubten Nyandra Rinpoche has been under house arrest.

In addition, it is learned that in Rebgong (Ch. Tongren) County, Amdo (Tsolho [Huangnan] Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Qinghai Province) the local court recently tried three monks from Dowa Monastery in secret, and their prison terms are two to three years. In Drakgo [Ch. Luhuo] County (Ganzi Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Sichuan Province), Kham, the local court recently held secret trail for six nuns and one lay person. While Khadro Lhamo, Wamo and Droma Yangtso were sentenced to seven-year prison term, Yeshe, Sonam Chodron, Deyang and the lay person Gesang Dorje were sentenced to three-year prison term. Due to the fact that these people were tried in secret, thus, it is impossible to obtain more detailed information.

On May 2, Tibet Forum (in Chinese), http://tibetalk.com/bbs, sponsored by Tibetans in exile was attacked, and all the data on the forum was lost!

May 2

Many official Chinese media published articles to offer official explanation for the process of trials for Tibetans who were involved in March 14 Incident, and this is an response to the questioning and criticism by the leaders of western countries and human rights organizations. Therefore, they specially reported that “31 lawyers defended 30 defendants.” All of the lawyers were designated by the court. Except those local lawyers in Tibet, there were two lawyers from Beidou Dingming Law Office in Beijing, but they are not Chinese lawyers who openly signed their names to express their willingness to provide legal assistance to the arrested Tibetans. What merits our attention is Beijing lawyer Sun Wenge’s account of his meeting with the defendant Yeshe: “The first question I asked is whether he has ever been tortured to extort a confession during his imprisonment and trail and how the food was in the house of detention. Yeshe told me that he had not been tortured for confession, and the food there is also very good.” However, the Tibetan lawyer Mimar Drokar described her meeting with the defendant Losang Samten as follows: “When I walked into the house of detention, two doctors were treating the suspects who were detained there. At that time over d dozen suspects were waiting to see a doctor. In addition, two suspects were receiving an I.V. there.” According to the information gathered from investigations into some Tibetans who were released, all those who were arrested, in varying degree, were beaten and abused. There are cases that some monks and common people were beaten to become disabled, were beaten to death or were beaten to become mentally deranged. Some Tibetans were beaten so severely that they were critically ill, as a result, they were transferred to be treated in the hospital, but the local police warned them, saying that they were forbidden to reveal that they were tortured to confess. Therefore, the Beijing lawyer’s claim that the defendant has not been subject to torture does not conform to the fact.

After the Chinese official media solemnly reported the news that a policeman was shot to death, it mentioned that a “Tibetan separatist” was killed by the police. This is the first time China officially admit that they killed a Tibetan protester since the protests happened in the various areas in March, but they did not reveal any more information. There is a comment concerning this on one Chinese website as follows: On the internet we can not find any information concerning a minority of Tibetan separatists’ action to incite some Tibetan herdsmen from the upper Hongkho Township in Dari County to gather a mod and make trouble. We do not know whether the disturbance in Qinghai has any connection to March 14 incident in Lhasa, the incidents in Kanlho [ch. Gannan] and March 16 incident of beating, smashing, looting and burning occurred in Ngawa Tibetan and Qiang Autonomous Prefecture in Sichuan Province. At that time the only information one can find is the report about people of all walks of life in Qinghai and reincarnated lamas from Kubum Monastery condemned the violent criminal incident in Lhasa. In addition, one also reads about what Jidi Magya, the deputy governor of Qinghai Province, said when he attended the “Conference Introducing the Tourist Products of Qinghai in 2008” in Hong Kong: “The safety in Qinghai is very good and the situation is very stable,” “the various ethnic groups are interdependent of each other, i.e. you will find the situation that “there are you among us, and us among you,” and “it is a very harmonious society.” But we have not seen the report about the disturbance caused by Tibetan herdsmen in Qinghai who were incited by the separatist forces. It is possible that the disturbance was not reported because the scale of the disturbance is not great or the situation was not serious, or it is also possible that the authorities deliberated overlook it because they worry that the report about the incident would create the impression that “the incidents are too widespread.” However, due to the fact that the serious loss occurred in arresting people involved after the incidents, the unknown incident was revealed. This also causes us to wonder how many other incidents happened but were not made public. Can our media tell the public a coherent and completely true story after every incident of widespread impact occurred? Is it possible that the authorities do not want the public to read about the report, then use their imaginations to analyze and seek for the truth of the incident.

It is reported that nineteen nuns from Shuse Nunnery in Chushul County, Lhasa City and four monks practicing on Shuse Mountain who were arrested on April 28 are imprisoned in the prison of Chushul County. In addition, some military police are stationing in the nunnery.

It is learned that recently a thousand armed police and special police suddenly evacuated from Rebgong County in Amdo (Tsolho [Huangnan] Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Qinghai Province) without knowing the reasons, but the undercover agents in civilian clothes increased. Among the monks from Rongwu Monastery who were arrested, except seventeen of them are still in custody, the rest have been released. Some monks who were beaten severely are receiving medical treatment in hospitals.

The latest news: On May 3 the two special envoys of the Dalai Lama, Gyari Lodi Gyantsan and Gesang Gyaltsan will embark on their journey to China to hold talks with the Chinese side discussing the situation and future of Tibet. This talk is the first official contact between the Dalai Lama and the Chinese government after the protests broke out all over the Tibetan areas and these protests were suppressed by the Chinese authorities since March. The Private office of the Dalai Lama pointed out in today’s news statement that the two envoys would discuss the present intense situation in various Tibetan areas, and convey the Dalai Lama’s deep concern over the Chinese authorities’ dealing with the Tibet incident and make suggestions in order to create peace in Tibetan areas. The statement also claims that the Chinese side accepted the suggestions of the international society and openly express its willingness to have contact and consultation with the special envoys of the Dalai Lama. The envoys would take the opportunity to seek for a breakthrough to satisfactorily solve the Tibet issue.

But the viewpoint of Tibetans in China is as follows: The CCP wants to use the Dalai Lama to quiet down the Tibet issue, the various domestic problems and the threat to Beijing Olympics posed by the international society. Having the so-called “contact and consultation” which they need is equivalent to giving China and some western countries a tranquilizer. As the coordinating party in the conflict, it should be without any favorable interest to any negotiating party, but the Sino-Tibetan talk at present is completely tendentious. It is an effort to satisfy the pressure from the western society and to brag about itself. The Dalai Lama hopes to discuss and explain protests in Tibet since March, but the Chinese Communist Party already proclaimed their verdict to the world, thus, it is not likely to have any result from the talk. In addition, when discussing issues concerning Tibetans in Tibet, yet Tibetans in Tibet, i.e., parities concerned ⎯ which here refers to common Tibetans, not those Tibetans incorporated into the Chinese system ⎯ are absent, thus, this itself is a problem. If no Tibetans who are outside of the Chinese system participate in solving the Tibet issue and there is no voice of Tibetans in Tibet, then the talk will have no substantial breakthrough. Among Tibetans who are involved in talks with the Chinese side, there should be Tibetans who have experience living in Tibetan areas and who understand the Chinese culture and the CCP system. The so-called talk, in fact, is a game of languages, a game of culture, a game of politics, thus, the talks will be doomed to fail if the two parties do not have the background of understanding each other.

May 1

From March 10 to the entire month of April, due to the fact that the peaceful protest staged by the monks in Lhasa was suppressed by the authorities, a large scale protests all over Tibetan areas happened and were also suppressed by the authorities with military power. During the period, the entire Tibetan areas have plunged into the man-made disasters. Thousands of Tibetans have met with the fate of being killed, being arrested, being tortured to confess, being missing, committing suicide or having mental disorder, and this has brought disasters to countless Tibetan families. As for 30 Tibetans who were sentenced by the Chinese court because of their “involvement” in “Lhasa Riot” and were reported by the official Chinese media, their trails are not fair, and there are many serious deficiencies in their sentences. I hope the human rights organizations and individuals who care about human rights issues pay attention to the humanistic disaster who is occurring in Tibet and has not stopped yet!

In Labrang Monastery in Amdo (Sangchu [Ch. Xiahe] County, Kanlho [Ch. Gannan] Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Gansu Province), while the military police arrested over 200 monks, they searched the living quarters of the monks and destroyed the possessions of the monks. What is more serious is that they damaged, and even looted the valuable cultural relics in Tibet. It is reported that Jamyang Rinpoche, the abbot of Labrang Monastery (the deputy president of China Buddhist Association, the director of the Advanced Buddhism College of Tibetan Language Family and the director of Gansu Provincial Buddhist association) sent a telegram to the Chinese officials concerning the issue, maintaining that such evil deeds of destroying and looting the cultural relices of the monastery is like another ‘cultural revolution” all over again, but the Chinese officials shirked all the responsibilities to the local officials of Kanlho (Ch. Gannan) Prefecture. The monks from Labrang Monastery who are accused of masterminding and inciting “riot” include Jigme, Kuncho Lhado, Samdrup Yalo, Tsundru, Tsangpalha, Tsage, Paldan, Tendzing, Genden Namda, Jamyang Jinpa and others. They were all arrested and were beat savagely. It is learned that among the monks Jigme, Tenzing and Geden Namda and Jamyang Jinpa are critically ill due to the serious injury, and they are under treatment in hospitals.

Today and yesterday the Chinese official media, including websites concerning Tibet, specially reported the news that Lama Tseten, the head of the vice squad of Dari County Public Security Bureau in Golok Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Qinghai Province, was shot to death. The reports claim when he was trying to arrest the prime suspect who was accused of inciting the March 21 Incident by the “Tibetan Separatists,” he died heroically as he was shot by the suspect. The authorities held a solemn memorial meeting for him. However, it is learned that in fact Lama Tseten led the vice squad to Hongkho Township in Dari County to arrest the monk named Chodo who burned the Chinese flag on March 21, they were stopped by monks from Hongkho Monastery and local people. Lama Tseten shot to death the 21-year old monk Chodo, then the police seized his corpse, and arrested Chodo’s father Sangsang Lele. This was more than the locals could bear, thus they clashed with the police. During the clash, Lama Tseten was shot to death. At present, due to the lack of source of news, we do not know clearly what kind of clash happened between the local people and the police. Judging from the fact that the monk Chodo and the head of the vice squad were shot to death, this clash became more serious because of using guns. Moreover, what is more important is that it is a serious issue that the police was shot on the scene. We do not know any details how this conflict ended eventually and what consequences it will bring about for local monks and lay people. In view of the authorities’ actions of “taking revenge” for all the protests in various Tibetan areas, such actions of mass arrests involving large-scale killing will most probably cause Tibetan people to resist vigorously by risking their life, as a result, they will cause more serious humanitarian disaster. I appeal to the authorities to act with restraint so as to allow Tibetans to live.

It is learned that on April 29 nineteen nuns in Shuse Nunnery in Chushul County, Lhasa Municipality, were arrested by the military police. In the caves where monks and nuns engage in practice, four monks were also arrested by the military police. At present, we do not know the details.

Lhasa is creating the great prosperous prospect in Lhasa in order to welcome “May 1st” holiday, and one will see red flags and red lanterns everywhere. In the morning, the pedestrian street of Yuthog Road was filled with armed police, who were putting on a show of “severing the people.” For instance, they were cutting hairs for civilians, treating them, repairing bicycles for them. All the so-called “civilians” were Tibetan representatives chose and dispatched by the neighborhood committees, and the soldiers and civilians were putting on a show of harmony, which was enthusiastically reported by television programs and newspapers. However, all the intersections leading to the street were sealed off, and military police were waiting at these intersections to check the I.D. cards, forcing passengers to take a detour.

According to reports by the official Chinese media, the first domestic tourist group of 32 people took the train to Lhasa to realize “their trip of dream.” Lhasa Municipal government not only organized a large-scale welcome group to meet these tourists at the railway station, but also to organize bonfire and fireworks parties. The local government treated the tourist group generously and exceptionally, which politicized tourism.

Read also Tibet Update (1), Tibet Update (2), Tibet Update (3) April 15 - 27 and Tibet Update (4) April 29 - 30.

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In 1962, Jamyang Norbu dropped out of school to enlist with a Tibetan guerrilla force, funded by the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), to fight for Tibetan independence from China. That rag-tag army ran out of steam – and funding – when the US mended ties with China in 1972, but more than three decades after he laid down his arms, Norbu is still, well, ’sticking to his guns’. Today, the journalist-theatreperson-novelist-blogger is one of the most passionate and articulate – and controversial - spokespersons for the Tibetan cause. His fierce defence of his independent position has at times led him to criticise Tibetan government-in-exile officials in Dharamsala and, on occasion, even the Dalai Lama.

In a telephone interview with DNA from his home in Monteagle, Tennessee, Norbu fleshes out his criticism of the Dalai Lama’s ‘Middle Way’ on Tibet (which favours ‘genuine autonomy’ for Tibet, not ‘independence’). Excerpts:

Q: Do the talks between the Dalai Lama’s envoys and Chinese officials in Shenzhen on Sunday represent a ‘moral victory’ for Tibetans?

A: I don’t think it’s any kind of victory - moral or otherwise. These are not ‘talks’ in the sense of two parties getting together to discuss a problem and making incremental progress. This is a case of Imperial China berating its subject-nations, saying they’ve been bad boys and should behave better. These ‘talks’ are only an opportunity for China to work themselves out of a likely boycott of the Olympics by world leaders.

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(It is inconvenient for the author to leave his name, please forward freely)

On the morning of the day before yesterday, I turned on my computer and saw on MSN a friend’s signature: “Don’t boycott Japanese goods, don’t boycott French goods, boycott idiots.” I found his words a little extreme, but I stand on the same grounds. When I first saw the text message to boycott Carrefour, my first reaction was also: “How are these people so stupid?” My thoughts were then: We should base any decision on the premise of truth, but do we understand the truth? Is the domestic media reporting the truth? This is not in line with our experiences in China, otherwise we will not refuse so many foreign journalists from traveling to Tibet.

There is also another simple truth: If the Dalai Lama truly advocates violence, then how did he win the Nobel Peace Prize? Is the Peace Prize also manipulated and exploited? Later we changed our explanation, saying that he was able to conduct a successful international public relations campaign. This explanation does fit in with our consistent strategy of political deception and utilitarian logic - we cannot acknowledge that he is fundamentally rooted in real values and gains recognition from the international community, who identifies with those values. If not so, then why don’t you go and try to conduct an international public relations campaign?!

Also, we always say that the Dalai Lama fans the flames of “Tibetan independence,” but we have never heard the Dalai Lama talk about his ideas — when Hong Kong media broadcast the Dalai Lama, it immediately cuts off the news as he begins to speak. On one hand, to ask nationals to remain obedient, and on the other hand, to so crudely pull the wool over their eyes, is this really appropriate behavior? Is this how a so-called “great power” country treats its own citizens? With such an attitude towards the people, how can the people be convinced?

It seems that the international anti-China forces are not just a handful, but are quite influential: the European Parliaments, the U.S. Congress, and many government officials. Do all these people have ulterior motives? We are given the answer that these people harbor bad intentions, and are deeply fearful of China’s rise - even experienced senior analysts in Hong Kong have said so. They may truly have some fear, not because China is rising, but because such a China is rising: a China with no guarantee of human rights, in which rights defense is an impossible ordeal; where people cannot be their own masters and lack dignity, while corrupt officials rage in action, where the wanton abuse of public power reigns; natural and manmade disasters follow one after the other, and the ecological environment can sends a person into shock…when all are living on the same planet, anyone with a conscience will be burdened with worries, not because his own position is under threat, but because the planet is laid to waste, and humanity is being destroyed!

Yes, amidst all of this are strategic voices using the Olympic stage to express their demands, and so, we accuse them of politicizing the Olympic Games - but wait, did we not politicize the Games as well? Is the the purpose of our hosting the Olympic Games truly that of sportsmanship, friendship, and peace? We keep saying that the Olympic Games will be the means by which China will showcase its great achievements in opening up to reform and displaying its spirit of a harmonious society, is this not politicizing the Olympics? This is a more profound politicizing: to strengthen political legitimacy through the Olympic Games. In this sense, the Olympic Games has not only been politicized, but was also made into a tool — along with all those who are participating.

The Chinese overseas have also opposed “Tibetan independence,” and are “Pro-Beijing.” If they act out of free will, then it is completely legitimate. But this precisely explains this logic: The world itself is multi-faceted and full of differences, so why not allow people the freedom of expression rather than suppressing the so-called dissidents by arresting them? Stop deferring to “because it hurts the 1.3 billion Chinese people’s feelings” and “these are the common sentiments of 1.3 billion Chinese” at the drop of a hat. You have never asked for my opinion, and I have never given you the authority to represent my views.

“Beijing Olympics” is a dilemma, a difficult problem. “Beijing” represents the Middle Ages, and the “Olympics” relays modern universal values, but now, the two mismatched icons have been tied together, how can one react in accordance? To participate means a loss of dignity, to boycott means a loss of business. And that which caused the Olympics to become such a predicament is, of course, not the Olympics itself. But those who exploit the Olympic Games - those are the real culprits with ulterior motives! Why is it that as soon as the Olympic Games came to China, such plight and difficulties arrived as well?! Why are you so difficult with all those in the world?

Can the Olympic Games lead China to become more open? Perhaps, it is like a meteorite that fell on China, shaking loose the facade and exposing the gaps underneath. From then on, “unified thinking” becomes ridiculous, “no dissent” becomes a falsity, and “no exceptions” becomes farce.

2008-4-18

The recent crisis over the Olympic torch and Tibet represent an epic clash: not just between Tibetans and Beijing, but between a self-congratulatory Western worldview and the very different vision of a billion-plus Chinese. Until Western leaders start trying to understand the Chinese perspective, friction is likely to grow, and the victims will include the Tibetans themselves—the very people Western leaders say they want to protect.

According to the current U.S. and European narrative, the popular protests in Tibet and elsewhere were entirely justified. The demonstrators pushed a moral cause: to free the poor Tibetans from an oppressive communist government. And the European leaders who decided to boycott the Olympics’ opening ceremonies, like Germany’s Angela Merkel, deserved nothing but praise for their courageous stance.

Read also China’s View of Tibet by Kishore Mahbubani.

Undercover in Tibet As Tibetan protesters take to the streets in the biggest and most bloody challenge to Chinese rule in nearly 20 years, Dispatches reports on the hidden reality of life under Chinese occupation after spending three months undercover, deep inside the region. Dozens are feared dead after the recent clashes and crackdown by Chinese troops, but with reporting so rigidly controlled from the region little is known of living conditions inside Tibet. To make this film, Tibetan exile Tash Despa returns to the homeland he risked his life to escape 11 years ago, to carry out secret filming with award-winning, Bafta-nominated director Jezza Neumann (Dispatches Special: China’s Stolen Children). Risking imprisonment and deportation, he uncovers evidence of the “cultural genocide” described by the Dalai Lama. He finds the nomadic way of life being forcefully wiped out as native Tibetans are stripped of their land and livestock and are being resettled in concrete camps. Tibet reveals the regime of terror which dominates daily life and makes freedom of expression impossible. Tash meets victims of arbitrary arrests, detention, torture and “disappearances” and uncovers evidence of enforced sterilisations on ethnic Tibetan women. He sees for himself the impact of the enormous military and police presence in the region, and the hunger and hardship being endured by many Tibetans, and hears warnings of the uprising taking place across the provinces now.

Thanks to blogger A Mao (The Cat) for recommending the link.

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After the turmoil in early March, China’s media heavily attacked the Dalai Lama as the sponsor of violence in Tibet, setting off a surge of nationalistic reactions among Chinese students and immigrants around the globe. Has the whole world been hoodwinked by the simple monk, or have we built up blind hatred based on distorted information? Either way, as a student supporting the Olympic Games and an individual who is determined to make contributions to the Harmonious Society, I do not wish to see Chinese and Tibetan people hating each other due to lack of necessary communication. With some questions and advice, I came to Colgate University and met with the Dalai Lama in a private house on April 24th, 2008.

In fact, after watching the turmoil in Lhasa on the Internet, some friends and I organized a panel discussion on Tibet in the International Affairs Building at Columbia University, where we included not only Tibetan speakers such as the Dalai Lama’s representative to the United States, the Director of Tibetan Youth Congress in US, but also scholars such as the Director of Modern Tibetan Studies at Columbia, as well as a political analyst representing the views of the Chinese government. It has been our firm belief that the best way to resolve bias and misunderstanding is through free exchange of ideas among people with different perspectives from all walks of life. The discussion lasted for three hours, with around one hundred and eighty attendees, including some of my friends and classmates, who, even at that time, had expressed their wish to hear the Dalai Lama’s positions towards the Olympic Games, Tibet’s future and the Youth Congress.

So on April 22nd, I zigzagged through the highway system without satellite signals, and managed to arrive at the very beautiful upstate institute, Colgate University, where His Holiness was giving a lecture on “happiness.” Five thousand eager faces crowded in the lecture hall where a fresh energy was surging through the air. Sitting in the ballroom between two large screens, he spoke slowly in a sincere manner. Despite making some occasional grammar mistakes, he was clearly a man of swift intelligence and great personal charisma. During the two-hour lecture, the main theme was always about compassion, pity, tolerance, understanding and forgiveness. After the event, when the audience was slowly dissolving into the beautiful campus with contented smiles, I saw twenty Chinese students waving national flags outside the lecture hall and shouting “We’re one family, don’t break it!” Due to a sore throat, I couldn’t engage in more communication with my fellow students, but I thought when seeing the Dalai Lama I would ask some serious questions that we all care about.

On the 24th, in Colgate Inn, a beautiful hotel with classic renaissance style decorations, after meeting several Buddhist students, the Dalai Lama was going to hold a news conference with Chinese media, including the Xinhua News Agency. He shook hands with each journalist as he walked into the small conference room, where some fifteen journalists representing ten media groups had set up their equipment behind the chairs. A female journalist not knowing the proper etiquette put a hada over his neck. Throughout the press conference, he explained his commitment to non-violence, his support to the ‘greater unity’ between Han Chinese and Tibetans, his promise of not-seeking-independence and his support for the Games, which he wishes to attend.

Finally at noon, we were led to the front yard of a two-floored house where a security check was operated in a friendly manner by some officers who, after asking where I am studying, were a little surprised by being boldly asked back where they are working. They were not those legendary CIA agents, but working for the State Department. At the door, the Dalai Lama and a Tibetan monk along with some staff from the delegation greeted us. Following Tibetan custom, I shook hands with His Holiness and offered him a hada which represents purity; he pronounced “huan ying (welcome)” in Chinese, inviting me to sit down on the sofa. I mentioned that the feverish emotions displayed by people discussing the Tibet issue are perhaps due to the limited information received and the lack of real heart-to-heart communication between Chinese and Tibetans, especially the younger generations. I was hoping to hear his opinions.

The Dalai Lama felt that this is a serious moment as both sides are too emotional, and explained the Tibetan sentiments from a historical perspective. Before Yuan Dynasty, Tibet remained relatively independent, not being part of any central administration. Even since Yuan Dynasty, from Tibetan point of view, the relationship between the emperors of China and Tibet is not like that between a subject and a ruler, but like the relationship between a priest and a patron. Tibet was an independent nation before the Liberation Army entered Tibet. Before 1949, taxes were not collected in Tibetan areas. Occasionally, some Chinese came like warlords and collected money, and created some trouble, burning down some monasteries, but the essential Tibetan life remained the same; there was no control or restrictions. After 1949, since the Liberation Army came representing the new government, of course very powerful and organized, Tibetan life in every field had some kind of interference or control. So in 1956, the reform started in the common area, which was good and necessary, but the manner of the reform, mainly class struggle, carrying the same manner as in the mainland, and was simply unfit for Tibet. Unlike that in mainland China, the relationship between landlord and peasants was generally like that between parents and children, with landlords often showing great compassion and care. During the reform, landlords were thrown into prisons, and in some cases serfs beat the landlords. In other cases serfs remained silent and kept crying. Then resentment came, and uprising started, from Tibet to Xikang in 1956 and 57, and then spread to the whole area in 1957 and 58. Numerous Tibetans were killed. A notebook that the Tibetans obtained from a Chinese military officer says that from March 1959 to September 1960, eighty-seven thousand Tibetans lost their lives in Lhasa. Several thousand Chinese soldiers were also killed. The whole event was “very very sad”.

In 1954 the Dalai Lama and the Panchen Lama both as representatives of the National People’s Congress went to Beijing and other cities from central Tibet. He displayed a moving voice when he remembered the scenes: “Chairman Mao was a great person, talking slowly with me, and very dignified, each word, occasionally some coughing, is really wonderful. I was so much impressed. During that period I also had opportunities to visit some heavy industries—since childhood, I had a keen interest in mechanical things, so I was interested in visiting big factories. At local places, party secretaries, vice secretaries, provincial governors and majors dined with us, drinking Maotai (the most famous Chinese liquor), though I couldn’t drink. I met all levels of officials and party members, many of which participated in the Long March. At that time, I was very interested in Marxism, so when I was in Beijing, I told communist party officials that I want to join the communist party. They told me to ‘wait a little bit’. In the summer of 1955, I left Beijing for Lhasa, and met Commander Zhang Guohua en route, a very nice person, Comrade Zhang Guohua, who was traveling from Lhasa to Beijing. I told him, ‘last year when I was traveling from Lhasa to Beijing, my heart was full of doubt and anxiety, but traveling on the same road back to Tibet now, I am full of confidence and hope.’

“At that time, not only I myself wanted to join the Communist Party, there were also several hundred Tibetans who already joined the Communist Party during the 30s and 40s. I knew a Tibetan Communist from my hometown, who had some injuries on the nose, who proudly stated to us that it was due to a Japanese bullet, because he participated in the Sino-Japanese war; he was a member of the Communist guerilla force. I was not a communist but almost like an alternate member. Now those Chinese, unlike previous Chinese, are revolutionary-minded, very caring about brotherhood, socialism and equality. The nationalists and the Manchurians always made differences between minorities. But these Tibetan communists really felt proud of being communists and part of People’s Republic of China. Chairman Mao made the Seventeen Points, in which one point mentioned Military and Political Committee. We were very afraid seeing the word ‘military’, but when we saw the frame of autonomy, everyone was very happy. Then in the year of 1956, Autonomic Region Preparation Committee was founded. Foreign Minister and Martial Chen Yi, who addressed up as a Martial in a big ceremony, actually, it was he who emphasized the importance of establishing a unified autonomous region. So what we refer to as “all Tibetan area”, which includes the whole Tibet, part of Sichuan,Qinghai, Gansu and Xikang, was first promised by Chen Yi.”

Telling from the Dalai Lama’s feelings and sentiments, he showed true sincerity in reminiscing about those veteran revolutionaries of the Communist Party, and cherished very much the relationship with the central government. I think without the Dalai Lama’s influence and advocacy for non-violence, it would not have been possible for people living in the area, where the Dalai Lama is being worshiped as the Living Buddha, to live without long-term, large-scale violence and bloodshed. On the other hand, if the Chinese government could heed the reasons and sentiments behind the long-standing resentment of the Tibetan people, so as to deal with Tibetan affairs with greater flexibility, then “Tibetan loyalty to Han Chinese will naturally come.”

While I was having a moment’s reflection, his staff reminded us that His Holiness had to go to the airport soon. So I hurried to proceed to the next part, which was the main purpose of my trip: seeking the creation of multiple communicative channels for exchange of views between Chinese and Tibetan people, which is of crucial importance for “minzu da tuanjie” (Great Unity of Ethnic Groups). I proposed to initiate an open-letter exchange between Chinese and Tibetan students, to be posted on a website with translations in both English and Chinese, so that both peoples (and the whole world) can explore each other’s feelings and sentiments. Television debate(s) may also be held between overseas Chinese and Tibetan students on an American television channel. He enthusiastically endorsed those proposals, adding that in times of crisis, instead of being antagonistic or hating each other, people may discuss and explore what is really happening. I also mentioned that a very good friend of mine, who is a computer scientist, volunteered to make documentary films on the life of Tibetan settlements in India. He was very happy to hear about it and asked his delegation to give full support. His Holiness also accepted the advice that whenever he visits a place abroad, he should meet local Chinese students and immigrants, promote the exchange of views and clear up misunderstandings, and accumulate grassroots support from Han Chinese.

Even in terms of the “Greater Tibetan Area”, he showed much room for further discussion. I advised him to return Tibet at any price, for the creation of two Dalai Lamas would not only bring too much controversy, but violence would also ensue, as his non-violence influence would fade and a Lamaist church outside Tibet would be accused of being out-of-touch. So a high degree of flexibility should be maintained, if not to abandon entirely the idea of “Greater Tibetan Area”. He responded that he welcomes any discussion regarding the issue, but the Tibetan people living in other areas have put all their hope, support and trust in him. Also in regard to language and culture, people living in Tibet and other areas are inseparable. What he hopes is that Tibetan people themselves make decisions on internal affairs, that the main posts in local Tibetan government should consist of Tibetans who know the language and culture, so positive outcomes may be ensured for protection of their religion, environment and the unique cultural identity. As for himself, he will not assume any position and will go into complete retirement, handing over all his authority to the local government after returning to Tibet. I think since the Chinese government successfully solved the Hong Kong and Macao issues with great political wisdom, ensuring their continued political stability and economic prosperity, would these also provide any experience or insights towards China’s Tibet policies? Under the Dalai Lama’s repeated promise of not seeking independence, the possibility of “Tibet governed by Tibetans” should enjoy plenty of room for consideration. Even if some details were disputed and hard to settle immediately, any constructive discussions and meaningful communications between China and His Holiness would be extremely worthwhile.

Due to time-constraints, I asked only five questions out of the nine ones that I prepared:

1. Do you seek independence? Why? He emphatically answered: “No! For our own interests. Economically, a strong China provides much benefit to six million Tibetans who may live much better and much happier joining China for another thousand years.”

2. Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Jiang Yu said at a press conference on April 8: “The Dalai Lama is the head representative of the serf system, which integrated religion with politics in old Tibet. The ‘middle way’ approach that the Dalai Lama is pursuing is aimed at restoring his own ‘paradise in the past’, which will throw millions of liberated serfs back into a dark cage.” So do you seek theocratic serfdom? He answered, smiling: “I think since many years, as everybody knows, that we never aim to restore the old system, and even the Dalai Lama institution, as early as 69, I made clear that this institution should continue or not is up to people.”

3. Chinese media portrays the Tibetan Youth Congress as a terrorist organization that supports violence, and also accuses Your Holiness and the Tibetan Youth Congress of operating on two sides together to split China. How would you explain this situation, and what’s your relationship with the Tibetan Youth Congress? “At the beginning, we thought the Youth Congress was very important, just like any youth organization in a community—youth is the basis of the future. But around 1974, we made up our mind that we will return to China, so independence is out of the question. Therefore, we must find a middle-way, not the present situation, nor independence or separation. But gradually, the Youth Congress becomes very critical towards our position of not seeking independence and separation. So right from the beginning (of course they are Tibetans and Buddhists who often come to see me), I made it clear that your stance is very different from ours. I also often criticize them because they’re not realistic.”

4. When you pass away and the new Dalai Lama is still young, based on what you know, who would most likely assume your position of advocating the ‘middle-way’ appeals? Also, do you think that Tibetan people will accept the China appointed Panchen Lama? “Hopefully, I think I may not be dealing with the question of my reincarnation. As for the two Panchen Lamas, I think the official one Tibetans generally are not very faithful to, so it’s for our mutual interest to avoid such controversies.”

5. China has made many investments in Tibet in the last fifty years. In your opinion, from now on, in Tibet, what are the most important things that China and international groups should devote their financial resources to? “The local people should get some benefit. That’s very important, and some portion must be shared for the constructions of the local condition: hospitals, schools and some economic projects. That’s I think really important.”

After the meeting, he sincerely stated while holding an Olympic T-shirt: “I feel very happy holding this, because right from the beginning I already support that the famous Olympic Games should take place in the ancient, most populated nation, that is the People’s Republic of China.”

And wrote down the following message in Tibetan:

With an ancient civilization and the greatest population,
I pray that China achieves development and is able to provide
great contribution towards the welfare of the international community.

From the Shakya monk
the Dalai Lama
April 24th 2008

When I returned to school, my Tibetan professor told me that for “China” His Holiness uses the Chinese word “Zhong guo”, the People’s Republic of China, NOT the Tibetan word Gyanag, which means traditional China without Tibet.

The meeting lasted for roughly 75 minutes, and I was deeply impressed by his sincerity and hospitality. His advocacy for non-violence, support for the Games and promise of non-independence are all consistent with what he has said and done in the West. As an ordinary overseas Chinese student, I think not only the future of Tibet requires formal discussions between Chinese government and His Holiness, but to abandon hatred and to promote harmony between Chinese and Tibetans also require continuous dialogue and communication between the two peoples, and this is the main purpose of my trip.

Lingxi Kong
A fourth year student majoring in Greek and Latin at Columbia University
April 26th, 2008

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France–singled out by China as the chief instigator of the dispute–dispatched three top officials to Beijing to make amends. The president of the European Union Commission, who was also in Beijing at the weekend, reiterated Europe’s support for China’s territorial integrity…

And yet, despite the public smiles, the clash between China and Europe has left deep scars on both sides. For it provided a painful reminder of a stark fact: Despite booming economic links, the two sides simply do not understand each other. Both China and Europe committed fundamental errors of judgment which transformed a relatively minor difference into a very bruising confrontation…

The lessons from this episode are obvious. Beijing’s diplomats are resourceful and more than capable of putting forward reasonable arguments. But when an unexpected crisis erupts inside China, these diplomats are invariably pushed aside. Harder men, with no sensitivity for world public opinion and an obsession with “fighting splittism” or “crushing enemies”, come to the fore instead.

“Over the past decades, despite consistent efforts, the Diaspora groups have not succeeded in significantly improving the situation. This suggests that the more important participants in the crisis are Tibetans in Tibet,” says Donald S. Lopez, an expert on Tibet and Buddhism at the University of Michigan.

Neither the demonstrations within nor the embarrassing disruptions of the torch’s global progress appear to have shaken Beijing’s determination to retain its hold on Tibet.

The “Free Tibet” groups have aroused international public opinion, compelling some leaders to condemn Beijing _ but not to boycott the Olympics, never mind seriously endangering their profitable economic ties.

Since her blog being attacked in April 26, Woeser now publishes her updates at here and here on overseas Chinese news website Boxun.com:

April 30

Yesterday in Lhasa the authorities announced the sentences for thirty people who were accused of violent actions in March 14 Lhasa “riot”, and the government institutions subordinate to the government, the party committee and the People’s Congress as well as neighborhood committees gathered people to attend the court hearing. Before they entered the courtroom, they were strictly examined. While their I.D. cards were checked, they were also given the relevant documents. Inside and outside of the courtroom filled with the police. It is reported that all thirty Tibetans who were sentenced had been tortured to make them confess. Some of them were propped up by the police while walking into the courtroom. One of them could not stand up, and he probably had a broken leg as a result of beating. Those who attended the court hearing said that the trial itself was “what the authorities say goes.” The trail process was simple. There were no lawyers to defend the defendants, neither were there any statements made by the defendants. The normal procedure was reduced. Due to the fact that the judge’s speech in Chinese needed to be translated into Tibetan, and many mistakes were made in the translation, those attended the court hearing frequently broke into laughter. It is said that judging from the laughter, it seems that people were venting their resentment. Otherwise, how could people laugh at such an occasion. But all the defendants could only put up with these in silence. It is learned that in recent few days the authorities will sentence more people, and there is the tendency to sentence them more severely or sentence them to death.

Because the journalist group including foreign journalists arrived at Tibet and tourists from mainland have started to come to Tibet, and the key issue is that Beijing Olympic torch relay will be arriving at Mt. Everest, therefore, all soldiers who are on duty in Lhasa have changed into civilian clothes. Those who do not know the ins and outs will think that the troops have already evacuated, in fact, the armed forces have been increased, and it is just they have been disguised.

Since yesterday, the soldiers who are on duty at Ramoche Temple and other neighboring areas have all become tourists wearing red sun helmets; the soldiers on other streets became tourists or labor workers, who are in small groups. If one pay close attention to them, one will see some of them have walkie-talkies in their hands. Tibetans remind the journalists to pay attention to groups of people in sun helmets, who, in fact, disguised themselves as tourists. The soldiers who are surrounding Sera Monastery have also changed into civilian clothes, and they each have a badge with words “ safety patroller” on their chest. The streets of Lhasa are filled with undercover agents in civilian clothes. Among the pilgrims who go on circumambulation and engage in religious activities every day one will find undercover agents in civilian clothes and informers who have been bought, and some retired cadres from public security bureaus, the protocuratorates and courts are also working as part-time undercover agents. However, not long ago when Tibet Television Station and Lhasa television Station were broadcasting the most wanted list and claimed that one would receive 20,000 yuan as reward for reporting the suspects to the authorities (in fact it is said that only 2,000 Yuan were given), indeed there were people who telephoned the authorities for reward when they saw monks and nuns were outside.

April 29

The group of journalists consisting of those from Reuters, CNN and the Japanese newspaper and the official Chinese journalists, has already arrived at the base camp at Mt. Everest, and are planning to interview the Beijing Olympic torch relay. Lhasa is displaying a false appearance of harmony with dazzling red. The red flag with five stars is hanging on top of the Potala Palace and the houses of Tibetan residents. Red lanterns are hanging on the gates of many stores and even on trees on the roadsides. Many Chinese official media reported that today Sera Monastery completely opened to the public, and claim that “the believers are devotedly worshipping in various shrines,” however, according to some Lhasa people, the so-called “common believers” are mostly Tibetans chosen by the authorities to pretend to be the believers. What is worth noting is that when Tenzing Namgyal, the party secretary of the Party Committee of TAR Committee of Nationality and Religious Affairs, gave an account of the current situation of Sera Monastery, he said that “the various religious activities in the monastery has already been carried out as planned, and the Buddhist activities have also already restored to normal. The life and practice of over 500 monks has also restored to normal.” In reality, the number of monks in Sera Monastery is not over 500, in fact, it is over 1,000, over half of whom are monks who come to study in Sera Monastery from Amdo and Kham. This has been the tradition over 500 years since the monastery was founded in 1419, but the CCP official in charge of monasteries claims that there are over 500 monks in Sera Monastery, does it mean that the punishment meted out to the monasteries this time include greatly reduce the number of monks and expel monks from regions outside of TAR? If the authorities take this measure, it proves that the religious tradition of Tibet is suffering serious damage. In addition, does it also mean that over half of the monks are still in custody? I appeal to the outside world to pay attention to the situation.

What I need to point out is that up to now we can not get any calls through to the monks in Sera Monastery, and in fact the life of the monks has not returned to normal yet. Neither can any calls get through to monks in Drepung Monastery nor has the monastery opened to the public. It is very likely that the condition for the monastery to open to the public is to imitate Sera Monastery by purging all the monks from other Tibetan areas outside of TAR. Up to now the monks in Jokhang Temple are still not allowed to leave the monastery, and though one can get calls through to Sera Monastery, all the calls are monitored. Furthermore, all Tibetan households in Lhasa have all been registered, and they were required to hand in a copy of the I.D. card, the household registration and a photo. The police stations have also sent policemen to the various working units to investigate repeatedly.

The Official Chinese newspaper Xinhua News Agency reports as follows: “The Lhasa Municipal Intermediate People’s Court public pronounced the judgment of 30 people who have been accused of violent actions during March 14 Lhasa riot. These people were sentenced between three-year fixed term of imprisonment and life imprisonement. This is the first such sentence in Lhasa since March 14.” The thirty people who were sentenced first are all Tibetans. Among them six are monks, one of whom was sentenced to life imprisonment, two for 20 years and three for 15 years respectively. When they announced the sentences, one person could not stand, and had to sit on the bench. He probably suffered torture in the hands of the police who were extorting confession.

Today Tibet Daily, the official newspaper of CCP Tibet, published three articles of lofty tone, which are all “ violent attacks and unscrupulous bombing” against the Dalai Lama. They are “Dalai: Even if he has Ever-changing Tricks it is still Hard to Conceal his Reactionary Evil Intent ⎯⎯ No. 6 of the Series of Editorials Exposing and Criticizing the Counter-Revolutionary Nature of the Dalai Separatist Clique”, “ Expose Dalai’s Lies to Deceive the World with Firm Evidence” and “Splitting the Home Land will definitely Doom to Fail.” We find such a stark contrast when we compared these articles with the news that China would hold talks with the Dalai Lama published four days ago, and what does this mean? A Tibetan named Jigme Namgyal wrote an article to analyze the situation. He points out that it is due to the obstruction by the interest group who has benefited from “the struggle against separatists” for a long time, and “there are people or groups which pursue material gain within the Chinese Central Government, and it is more likely to have them in Tibet,” and “they have managed Tibet for many years, and Tibet is the treasure site for their official careers and material interests. If the Chinese authorities hold talks with the Dalai Lama, then if the Dalai Lama comes back, the concept of administration of society will change accordingly and the national and religious policies will be transformed, too. Then they will have nowhere to go, thus, they will madly defend [the status quo]. This analysis hits the nail on the head. From Beijing to the various Tibetan areas a great number of Chinese and Tibetan officials who make a living by “opposing separatism”, who are promoted because of “opposing separatism” and who have become rich as a result of “opposing separatism.” It is them who are the obstruction to solving the “Tibet Issue.”

Read also Tibet Update (1), Tibet Update (2) and Tibet Update (3) April 15 - 27.

Yesterday I joined the tens of thousands of demonstrators along Embarcadero in San Francisco awaiting the torch along the planned relay route. It was a sunny day, and there were mountains and seas of people (Chinese metaphor), red flags were flaying all over and singing and drumming filled the sky. The scenes that exemplified elementary school essays suddenly popped up in front of my eyes.

I am not good at long writing, but this one could be a bit lengthy, and please be patient, because I firstly wanted to record what happened that day. Of course, what I saw came from my own eyes and there’s of course partiality, but I tried to honestly put down what I observed.

- I saw a lot of people who support Tibet, human rights and freedom, who were in groups or alone walking, and many were holding self-made banners. Some held up the snow mountain lion flags, some draped them around their bodies, but the flags weren’t big. There were massive homemade signs that read, “Another _____ for a Free Tibet.” Some had “Another Biker for a Free Tibet,” some had “Another Mom for a Free Tibet,” some seniors had “Another Grandma for a Free Tibet,” some children had “Another Kid for a Free Tibet.”

- There were many more people who supported China and the Olympics. Their flags were much larger and uniform. Five-star red flags were flying all over the San Francisco Bay. Many groups were singing China’s national anthem, on a bigger scale than the free Tibet protesters. A girl besides me answered a call and I heard her say, “What? There are Tibetan separatists acting up over there? Ok, we will be over there very soon!”

- A white woman was waving a Tibetan flag. A Chinese old man suddenly said, “Long Live China!” The woman said, “Long Live Chinese! Long Live Human Rights!” The old man then repeatedly said, “Long Live China!” The woman didn’t say anything. The old man kept on saying “Long Live China!” And people around him