Reaffirming the Tibetan leadership’s commitment to resolving the Tibet-China conflict through dialogue while sharply criticising Beijing’s policies in Tibet, Penpa Tsering on Tuesday said the Tibetan administration would continue pursuing the Dalai Lama’s “Middle Way Policy” despite shrinking space for negotiations with China.
Delivering his inaugural address after taking oath as the Sikyong (President) of the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA), Tsering accused the Chinese government of carrying out systematic efforts to erase Tibetan national identity through state-backed policies targeting Tibetan language, religion and culture.
The swearing-in ceremony was attended by Tibetan Spiritual Leader the 14th Dalai Lama, senior officials of the Tibetan administration, members of the Tibetan community and international supporters.
“Given the Chinese government’s current policy direction towards the nationalities, there does not seem to be much space for negotiations,” Penpa Tsering said.
“Nevertheless, the 17th Kashag remains firmly committed to the Middle Way Policy envisioned by His Holiness the Dalai Lama," he added.
He said the policy seeks a lasting solution to the Sino-Tibet conflict through “non-violence, dialogue and mutual benefit,” adding that the Tibetan administration would continue “backchannel communications with caution and steadiness” with the Chinese government while simultaneously strengthening international support for the Tibetan cause.
Penpa Tsering alleged that China was pursuing an “overarching state-backed implementation of policies aimed at erasing Tibetan national identity.”
He further accused Beijing of deliberately spreading misinformation and propaganda to create divisions within Tibetan exile communities, Tibetan organisations and global Tibet support groups.
“The most pressing challenge in Tibet today is the Chinese government’s systematic effort to erase Tibetan national identity,” he said, warning Tibetans and supporters worldwide to remain vigilant against Chinese interference.
Calling for stronger global advocacy, he urged Tibet support groups and activists to collectively raise issues of “genocide and crimes against humanity” at international and national forums.
The Tibetan leader also addressed growing concerns over the future of Tibetan leadership and China’s attempts to control the reincarnation process of the Dalai Lama.
Referring to the Tibetan Policy and Support Act passed by the United States, Penpa Tsering said the law authorises sanctions against Chinese officials interfering in the recognition of the Dalai Lama’s reincarnation.
He also cited the Promoting a Resolution to the Tibet-China Dispute Act, also known as the Resolve Tibet Act, saying it recognises Tibet’s historical status and acknowledges that the Tibet-China dispute remains unresolved under international law.
“In this context, we remain committed to countering disinformation and misleading narratives propagated by the Chinese government regarding His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s reincarnation and the historical status of Tibet,” he said.
Tsering also laid emphasis on strengthening governance within the Tibetan administration. He announced that the 17th Kashag would expand e-governance initiatives launched during the previous administration by improving technology, institutional systems and data management.
