By Tenzin Dharpo
DHARAMSHALA, May 20: A confrontation between pro-Tibet activists and the Chinese Ambassador to the UK during an event escalated to the point, where the bemused Chinese diplomat had to say, “your cause is doomed to failure… you will never succeed. Period.”
Chinese ambassador to the UK, Liu Xiaoming was speaking at “World Affairs through our eyes – China,” event conference organized by the Bath Royal Literary and Scientific Institution on May 17. After the Ambassador’s speech, a Tibetan youth, Sherab Gyaltsen asked Liu about the self immolations that have taken place inside Tibet, the disappearance of the 11thPanchen Lama and the lack of freedom in Tibet. He was repeatedly questioned on the human rights violations and the repressive policies meted against Tibetans under China.
Lui who was earlier Ambassador to North Korea and Egypt retorted that the abducted Panchen Lama was “never recognized and that “he is just [an] ordinary boy”, while adding, “There are 3 million Tibetans: everyone would agree they are much happier, live longer and are much freer”. The activist quickly responded, “not according to my family in Tibet”. He later expressed that the mismatch of what China claims and what is actually happening must be noted.
“I’ve heard Chinese propaganda all my life but it is still shocking to hear someone telling lies in person about your country and the experiences of your own people. I know Tibetans in Tibet are not happy as the ambassador claimed, because Tibetans in Tibet tell us of the oppression they endure. Tibetans want freedom and no one has the right to tell them they cannot have it. Tibet will be free,” Sherab said.
Alistair Currie, Campaigns Manager for the activist group Free Tibet who was also involved in the confrontation later said that China cannot afford to be so callously unaccountable to the situation inside Tibet while spreading lies to the world. “The ambassador let the mask slip after being rattled by activists challenging him. After lengthy propagandizing he found himself dealing with persistent and unapologetic campaigners holding him accountable for his government’s actions.”
Alistair added, “Tibetans inside Tibet are denied the right to show their flag on pain of imprisonment. As we saw during the State Visit of Xi Jinping, the Chinese government wants to do the same in our free and democratic country.”
Free Tibet activists and attendees of the talk were instructed to cover or conceal any object related to Tibet before the Ambassador arrived at the venue.
