By Paul Hutcheon,
Political Editor
Jack McConnell’s autumn trade visit to China has become embroiled in controversy after Tibetan officials close to the Dalai Lama demanded he use his trip to rebuke the Communist regime.
Although the First Minister intended to use his Far East tour in October to strengthen business links and promote Scotland’s image, he is now being asked to question officials in China about their government’s human rights record.
Speaking exclusively to the Sunday Herald, Thubten Samphel, spokesman for the exiled Tibetan administration, said McConnell was obliged to speak out because of Scotland’s imperial past.
“Tibet is intimately connected to the British empire, and Scotland was part of that. We believe Scotland has responsibilities and should bring these issues to the attention of the Chinese leadership.
“It would be extremely helpful if he mentioned Tibet, as it would indicate to the Chinese that there is enormous concern.”
Tsering Tashi, the secretary of the Office of Tibet in London, also called on the First Minister to intervene.
“I was there when the Dalai Lama visited Scotland and I was struck by the support for Tibet. If the First Minister told the Chinese authorities how much the people of Scotland are concerned it would help. It would be a little unfortunate if he did not,” he said .
The treatment of Tibet by China is regularly condemned by human rights organisations. It has been estimated that, since China invaded the country in 1949, the occupation has led to the deaths of one-sixth of the Tibetan population and the exile of more than 800,000.
The Tibetan cause has recently experienced increased coverage in Scotland. The Dalai Lama met the First Minister when he visited the Scottish parliament in June, while the presence of China’s People’s Liberation Army (PLA) at the Edinburgh Tattoo provoked angry protest.
Liberal Democrat MSP Mike Pringle, ejected from the Tattoo last week for protesting the PLA’s presence, called for the First Minister to stay home.
“The best thing he could do is cancel the trip,” he said. “If he does go, I’d urge him to take every opportunity to talk about Tibet and human rights.”
Green MSP Chris Ballance, who chairs the parliament’s cross-party group on Tibet, said he would urge McConnell to broach the same subject s.
A source close to the First Minister said a detailed itin erary had not been prepared, and that he was not sure any meetings had been scheduled with the Chinese authorities. Nevertheless, he criticised the call to cancel the visit.
“Mike Pringle is clearly unaware of the incredible business links between Scotland and China. It would be wrong to undermine Scottish business by cancelling a trip that can work so successfully in Scotland’s interests,” he said.
