Phayul Bureau Report
Dharamshala September 15 – The Chinese Embassy threatened to cancel an event with Institute on Religion and Public Policy (IRPP) if the Dalai Lama’s envoy and a Chinese dissident attended it, reports Washington Times. The event, organized by Washington, D.C based Institute on Religion and Public Policy was to be participated by visiting Chinese religious leaders from various faiths. Protestant, Catholic, Buddhist, Muslim and Taoist leaders from organizations approved by the Chinese government were paying for what was billed as a historic 10-day visit to the United States, reported Washington Times.
“The group, scheduled to return to China today was accompanied by officials from China’s State Administration for Religious Affairs (SARA).”
Previously extended invitations to Dalai Lama’s special envoy Lodi Gyari and Harry Wu, who spent 19 years in a labor camp, were withdrawn less than three hours before dinner Thursday evening.
“This dinner was supposed to foster an open dialogue, according to the Chinese, but it appears they want such dialogue even in America only on their terms,” one participant was quoted by Washington Times.
Citing another participant, the report says the Chinese embassy notified the institute Thursday afternoon that Mr. Gyari’s and Mr. Wu’s presence at the dinner was “unacceptable,”.
The hosts apologized the two men and asked them to send other representatives of their respective organizations.
Mr. Wu, executive director of the Laogai Research Foundation, said in an interview that he sent an aide, as did Mr. Gyari, who heads the International Campaign for Tibet.
The Chinese Embassy however declined to comment when reached by Washington Times
Mr. Wu told Washington Times that the expected discussion on religious freedom did not take place at Thursday’s dinner. “If you really want to come to the United States, you have to be ready to answer any questions,” he said.
