CHINESE President Hu Jintao should listen to those urging greater freedom in his country, especially Tibet, an Australian Tibetan said today.
ACT Tibetan community leader Migyur Samkhar was addressing a small crowd of Tibetan protesters outside parliament ahead of Mr Hu’s address to parliament today.
“I would like to request President Hu Jintao to live up to the expectations of his people, the world, (and) the international community and start genuine dialogue with the Dalai Lama as far as resolving the Tibetan issue is concerned,” Mr Samkhar said.
“At the same time, bringing about true freedom in China is absolutely important.
“In a globalised world, one cannot rise, one cannot make economic prosperity, one cannot make political advancement without genuine democracy.
“This is what I would like President Hu Jintao to listen to.”
He said Prime Minister John Howard could make a difference to the situation in China.
“Prime Minister John Howard is one of the most respected world leaders and I feel (he) is actually raising the Tibetan issue and also the issue of democracy and human rights in mainland China.
“That will definitely make a lot of difference.”
