By Phhuntsok Yangchen
DHARAMSHALA, November 28: The Tibetan spiritual leader His Holiness the Dalai Lama has commended the spirit of Hong Kong movement but called on for ‘a realistic approach.’ In his recent interview with Asia Nikkei Review, the Tibetan leader said, “The spirit of the Hong Kong movement is good. They should keep it. However, sometimes their approach needs to be more realistic. Just shouting slogans may not achieve their goal.”
“The students of Hong Kong are using freedom of expression and are very concerned about democracy. This is their right. At the same time, the Chinese government always says, “Democracy, democracy!” But still there is tight control,” His Holiness added.
In September, hundreds of pro-democracy activists took to the streets outside Hong Kong government headquarters against China’s vetting of candidates for the election due in 2017.
The movement, which started as “Occupy Central with Love and Peace” (OCLP) was later called the “Umbrella Revolution” as protesters used yellow umbrellas to resist pepper spray from the police.
After two months since the movement started, protesters continue to occupy two other parts of the city and this week, a student leader Joshua Wong was arrested by Hong Kong police among 160 people from Mong Kok, one of the protest areas. However, he was later released on bail with an order to stay away from cleared street camp.
Last week, Tibetan Prime Minister Dr Lobsang Sangay participated in a panel discussion on “Hong Kong, China: One City, Two Visions” at the Halifax International Security Forum in Canada. The Tibetan PM said that Hong Kong protest indicates that democracy is touching the shores of China. “The recent protest in Hong Kong is an indication that democracy is touching the shores of China. Protest in Hong Kong is a test for the Chinese government and the people of Hong Kong”.
He further said, “The One Country, Two Systems of Hong Kong has its genesis in the 17-Point Agreement that the People’s Republic of China signed with Tibet under duress on May 23, 1951″.
Many Tibetans have also expressed their support and solidarity with the Hong Kong protesters.
