The Canberra Tibet Office, in collaboration with the China Alliance for Democracy, hosted a seminar titled China-Tibetan Relations in the Post-Xi Jinping Era at the University of Sydney on July 10, 2024.
The seminar, which brought together leading scholars, activists, and experts on China, provided an in-depth debate. Discussions ranged from the impact of Xi Jinping’s policies on Sino-Tibetan relations to the alarming cultural genocide taking place in Tibet under his rule.
In his opening remarks, Representative Karma Singey stressed the urgency of the situation, saying, Today, there is a deep sense of insecurity, uncertainty and fear due to the Chinese government’s expansionist greed and repressive policies. If these policies are not challenged, world peace and security are at grave risk. He also revealed China’s policy of securitizing Tibet and sinicizing the Tibetan people as part of Xi Jinping’s long-term assimilation policy.
Dr. Gyalo, a leading expert on China’s assimilation and education policies in Tibet, shared his deep thoughts on Xi Jinping’s overall vision of creating a Han-centered policy of nationalism and how the Chinese government has imposed compulsory boarding school education for Tibetan children, which he described as forced sinicization and a policy of cultural genocide against Tibetans.
Bawa Kalsang Gyaltsen, representative of the Tibet Office in Taiwan, explained the Central Tibetan Administration’s commitment to the Middle Way Policy to find a peaceful solution to the Sino-Tibetan conflict. He further stressed the importance of more vital interaction and alliance between the Tibetan and Chinese communities to strengthen the friendship between the two communities.
Finally, Professor Feng Chongyi, Associate Professor at the University of Technology Sydney and Chair of the Australian and New Zealand Alliance of Victims of the Communist Party of China, explained that the establishment of a democratic constitutional government in China was the prerequisite for self-determination of any nationality. He further explained that democratic negotiations or a referendum under a democratic political system were necessary to achieve self-determination, which could result in autonomy, independence or the maintenance of the status quo.
Dr Jin Jiang, chairman of the China Alliance for Democracy, Duoduo Zhang, chairman of the Sydney China-Tibetan Friendship Group, and Sophia Tsai, a Taiwanese ally, hosted the seminar.
Dawa Sangmo, Chinese Liaison Officer of the Tibet Office in Canberra, delivered the closing remarks.
