Tsering Dhundup
DHARAMSHALA, Oct 29: The exile Tibetan government’s representative to Japan Dr. Tsewang Gyalpo Arya has concluded a week-long diplomatic visit to the Philippines, during which he urged Filipino lawmakers to consider legislation similar to the U.S. Resolve Tibet Act.
According to exile Tibetan government run tibet.net, in a meeting with Philippines Congressman Adrian Amatong, Dr. Arya presented a copy of the recent U.S. legislation and requested the introduction of a comparable bill in the Philippine parliament. Congressman Amatong expressed support for Tibet’s cause, noting that Filipinos, as freedom-loving people, empathise with Tibet’s non-violent struggle for freedom and justice.
Dr. Arya engaged with various institutions, including the University of the Philippines College of Mass Communication, where he addressed students about Tibet’s history and warned about Chinese propaganda. He also met with officials from the Ramon Magsaysay Award Foundation, which honoured the Dalai Lama with its prestigious award.
The visit included discussions with Hon. Wallace Chow, Representative of the Taipei Economic & Cultural Office, focusing on regional dynamics and the importance of democracy in resolving conflicts with China. Due to a tropical storm warning that later claimed more than hundred lives Dr Arya had to attend some events virtually, and also delivered lectures on Tibet’s struggle for freedom and Philippines-Tibet relations at multiple academic institutions.
The representative of the Tibetan government in exile acknowledged the Philippines’ historical support for Tibet, particularly in the United Nations during the early 1960s, and expressed his desire to reinvigorate the partnership between the two countries.
The diplomatic mission to the Philippines reflects the CTA’s expanding efforts to gather international support and advocate for legislation similar to ‘Resolve Tibet Act’ to pressure China into meaningful negotiations to resolve the Tibetan cause. This approach aligns with recent statements by democratically elected president of Tibet Penpa Tsering during an event held in Delhi in September “Spirit of Tibet”, emphasised the importance of international cooperation in addressing Tibet’s political status and future. He stated, “We would like to work with other governments to see whether similar positions can be adopted to push the Chinese government to come to the negotiating table.”
Tsering also questioned the current diplomatic paradigm where countries acknowledge Tibet as part of China while simultaneously advocating for talks between Tibetan leaders and Beijing, suggesting this approach undermines “the very ground” for meaningful dialogue.
