Dharamsala says behind China’s “modernization” claims in Tibet lurks colonialism Urges Beijing to look to the Dalai Lama as an ally in solving China's Tibet Problem

2001. december 10./Tibet House Foundation, Budapest/TibetPress

Dharamsala/10 December 2001/Human Rights Day
“China’s new attempt to modernize Tibet is perhaps the biggest disaster that confronts the Tibetan people after the Chinese communist occupation of our country,” said Professor Samdhong Rinpoche, the Kalon Tripa of the Central Tibetan Administration based in north India. “Despite the brutality of the Cultural Revolution, China was not able to wipe out Tibet’s gentle civilization whose rich spiritual tradition even now vibrates well beyond Tibet,” Professor Samdhong Rinpoche said. “Where brute military might and outright political repression has failed, China is now attempting to exterminate Tibet’s unique way of life through renewed colonization,” Professor Samdhong Rinpoche said. “Construction of more roads, airports and the new railway line will ensure that Tibetan resources, both on and under the ground, will go to China and Beijing can, better than before, easily export its excess population to Tibet,” said Professor Samdhong Rinpoche.

Professor Samdhong Rinpoche spoke to the media during the release of a new report called Height of Darkness: Chinese Colonialism on the World’s Roof, which exposes the claims made by the Chinese white paper issued by the State Council of the People’s Republic of China on 8 November 2001. Professor Samdhong Rinpoche said, “Our response to the Chinese white paper is also a cautionary note to the Chinese leadership of the un-predictable consequences Beijing might be forced to live with if it persists in its present policy of bypassing His Holiness the Dalai Lama and attempting to determine a future for the Tibetans without any meaningful Tibetan participation.

The present policy formulated out of fear and in total disregard for the genuine concerns of the Tibetans is exacerbating the problems of instability that China is trying hard to eliminate in Tibet.” Professor Samdhong Rinpoche said, “His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s Middle-Way Approach of not seeking outright independence but for Tibet to exist and function as a distinct entity in the overall framework of the People’s Republic of China is the most effective pill for China’s Tibet headache.” He said, “A stable, prosperous China is in everyone’s interest, including that of the Tibetan people. This can be accomplished if Beijing considers His Holiness the Dalai Lama as an ally who has the influence and ability to help in restoring to China the greatness the Chinese people deserve and the leadership seeks.” Please visit the news flash section of www.tibet.net for the complete text of Height of Darkness:Chinese Colonialism on the World’s Roof. Also visit www.tibet.com for more comprehensive information on Tibet.