Tibetan Leader Penpa Tsering Speaks on Dalai Lama’s 89th Birthday and China’s Restrictions

The President of the Central Tibetan Administration, Penpa Tsering Sikyong, expressed sadness that Tibetans cannot celebrate the 89th birthday of their spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama, in his birthplace due to China’s restrictions. He conveyed his message to all Tibetans, highlighting the joy for those who can celebrate freely and the unfortunate situation for those who cannot.

The 14th Dalai Lama, also known as Gyalwa Rinpoche, is the highest spiritual leader of Tibet. The Chinese government has intensified social media restrictions to prevent celebrations of his birthday on July 6. Sikyong urged Tibetans to unite and support the Dalai Lama’s efforts to keep the Tibetan issue alive.

Currently, the Dalai Lama is in the United States for knee surgery, which went well, and he is now recovering. Sikyong also mentioned the new ‘Tibet Resolve Act’ awaiting US President Biden’s signature, which supports Tibet.

Sikyong commented on India’s policy towards China, stating that while he does not advise the Indian government, it is important to recalibrate strategies based on the changing political scenario. He questioned why China, which calls Tibet a ‘socialist paradise,’ does not allow people to see it for themselves.

He emphasized that Tibetan Buddhism originated from India and that Tibetans consider themselves part of Indian culture. He warned that China’s efforts to erase Tibetan culture and replace it with Chinese culture will also affect India.

China views the Dalai Lama as a separatist, and Chinese forces invaded and annexed Tibet in the 1950s, claiming it had always been part of China.