In an interview on Wednesday,the leader of the Tibetan Community in-exile and the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA) Sikyong Penpa Tsering addressed critical issues in ongoing negotiations with China, focusing on the reincarnation of the Dalai Lama and the state of Tibetan education.
“The reincarnation of the Dalai Lama must remain under the jurisdiction of Tibetan Buddhist traditions,” Sikyong stated. “China’s attempts to control this sacred process undermine our cultural and spiritual autonomy.” Beijing’s efforts to assert its authority over the reincarnation process have been a major point of contention, with Sikyong condemning these actions as a direct threat to Tibetan religious practices.
Additionally, Sikyong discussed the severe impact of Beijing’s educational policies in Tibet. He criticized the Chinese government for replacing Tibetan with Chinese as the primary language of instruction and for the widespread use of boarding schools for young Tibetan children. “These policies are designed to erode our cultural identity and forcibly assimilate our children,” he said. “We are witnessing a systematic attempt to erase Tibetan culture and language.”
Sikyong also addressed the future of negotiations with China, outlining the Central Tibetan Administration’s (CTA) stance. “We are committed to protecting our cultural and religious heritage despite the pressures from Beijing,” he explained. “Our goal is to secure international support to resist these policies and ensure that Tibetan traditions and freedoms are preserved.”
The CTA continues to seek global backing to counteract Beijing’s policies, advocating for the protection of Tibetan culture and religious practices. Sikyong’s remarks underscore the ongoing struggle for Tibetan autonomy amid rising tensions with China. The Sikyong, is set to visit the United States after the enactment of the Resolve Tibet Act in the Congress.
