Chinese ambassador: Majority of Lhasans oppose riots

Editor’s Note: To ease reading, only questions necessary to understanding the meaning of the interview are included.

“Monks’ Protests Are Not Peaceful”

AMBASSADOR LIU: Lately, many people are interested in the issue of Tibet. Many Chilean parliamentarians have concerns. This is why I invited you to have this conversation to clarify what the true facts are. The Chilean press and you yourself are aware, in a sense, of recent events in Tibet. Mainly in Lhasa, the capital.  A group of monks, a very small group, supposedly began peaceful demonstrations at the request of the Dalai Lama. But I do not know in what sense they could be considered peaceful. The images broadcast by the media, including CNN, show these monks, called peaceful demonstrators, attacking banks and schools, and burning houses of ordinary people. Attacking, assaulting. Who could believe that these were peaceful demonstrations given the extreme violence involved? They did not even care if there people were inside these (burned) houses. Therefore 13 innocent people died because they could not escape the flames. I think it was very cruel. In any democratic country, no peaceful country would consider these demonstrations peaceful.

Then the press began reporting about Chinese repression. Press photos show police trying to control a riot without the use of deadly force, even though the monks are throwing stones at police cars. It is not hard to gage (the intensity) of these protests.

I would also like to clarify that the soldiers did not carry firearms and, as a result, some were seriously injured. If I had firearms, would I allow myself to be attacked? The issue is crystal clear.

Furthermore, the timing of these protests is central. Everyone knows the 2008 Beijing Olympics are only four months away. The Dalai Lama group does not want China to host a successful Olympics festival. So they are organizing in Tibet and in other countries. A torch (is being raised) against the Chinese government, but on a parallel route.

Attacks on Chinese Embassies

AMBASSADOR LIU: They are organizing attacks on some Chinese embassies parallel to the events in Lhasa. In the Netherlands, police could not control or protect the Chinese diplomatic headquarters, a violation of international standards. The protesters, organized by the Dalai Lama group, knocked down a wall of the embassy, entered and began destroying things. I cannot imagine how, in a country like Holland, which is always for democracy, a diplomatic headquarters is attacked in this way.  Demonstrators in support of the Dalai Lama Even burned the Chinese flag in our consulate in Zurich. How can this happen in a country like Switzerland.  Last night, a group of about 40 demonstrators were protesting outside our embassy against the so-called repression of Tibet. The banners said, "Tibet does not belong to China."  I greatly appreciate the fact that the Carabineros de Chile are not like (police forces) in Holland and Switzerland. When the embassy told the police that security was being endangered, a group of officers came to protect (it). So how is it possible that in so many different places in the world so many similar activities occurred without someone orchestrating them?  

So, we have enough arguments to prove that all these events - attacks on embassies, on diplomatic missions in China and other countries, even in Lhasa - have been organized by Dalai Lama group.

The Dalai Lama and His Political Agenda

AMBASSADOR LIU: There another newspaper photo of a monk with a bleeding face published today. The paper explained that the photo was taken in Nepal and not China.  Why is this almost simultaneously occurring in so many places? You can clearly see that the Dalai Lama group is orchestrating events, not only because to oppose the 2008 Beijing Olympics, but also because it seeks Tibetan independence.  Thus, we can see that this is not a simple problem of human rights, but a highly politicized issue for the Dalai Lama.

I believe that the Dalai Lama has no right to talk about human rights. He was the supreme ruler of Tibet until 1950. But what kind of society was Tibet in 1950? One dominated by serfdom. Dalai Lama was not only a living Buddha. He was also the supreme ruler of a Tibet which unified political and religious leadership. Tibetan leaders during this time did not consider their servants as human beings but as animals who could be killed on a whim. Owners had the power of life or death where their servants were concerned. The Dalai Lama was the largest serf owner (in the world) during this period of history.

Immediately following the founding of the People's Republic of China in 1949, the Chinese government did not start reforming the Tibetan region.  It held discussions and reached an agreement with the Dalai Lama, which provided for the planned, peaceful liberation of Tibet in 1951. If the Chinese government wanted to liberate Tibet at this time, it had the armed forces to do it. But China did not want war. This is why it reached an agreement with the Dalai Lama. Then the Dalai Lama was elected vice president of the National People's Congress of China. One can still find the Dalai Lama’s archived letter to then-Chairman Mao Tse-tung, expressing his desire to uphold the unity of the Chinese motherland. This meant he viewed Tibet as part of China. The letter is in the Chinese archives, but many people in the West know about it. …except some who intentionally want to cover up this evidence. Why don’t these gentlemen in the international community who support the Dalai Lama and talk about human rights, condemn what he as the largest owner of serfs.

How did the Dalai Lama manage to get the Nobel Peace Prize, given the fact that he is not a peaceful person? This might lead one to think there are people in the international community who have ulterior motives for Tibet. A Tibet separated from China. But Tibet has never been a (separate) country in history. We must respect history. In the 7^th century, the king of Tibetans at the time, traveled to the capital of the Han dynasty, which was the (seat of) central government. He wished to request the hand of the emperor’s daughter in order to show his willingness to live coexist peaceably with China.

Current Situation of Tibet

Ambassador, regarding this situation… What is life like for people living in Tibet today?  Tibetans and those of Han ethnicity have? How good the coexistence between the two cultures? What is their standard of living like?

AMBASSADOR LIU: The autonomous region of Tibet has a population of over 2 million, more than 90% of whom are Tibetan. There are very few Han, or ethnic minorities groups.  The railway has improved the flow of trade, but the vast majority of the permanent population remains Tibetan. The Autonomous Regional Committee is also predominantly Tibetan.

In 2006, we began operating the first railway in Tibet. It had been the only province, out of 34 in China, which had no rail. It is operating very well.

I was in Tibet in 2002, accompanying the then-Foreign Minister of Mexico. We saw many European tourists in Lhasa. They would notice if there was any lack of freedom. I accompanied the Foreign Minister to many temples and monastery. The Foreign Minister visited Tibet for six days. I met him at the border with Nepal. If there were no freedom in the region, why would we allow a foreigner to walk through southern Tibet, and take a car to Lhasa? So much has improved in people's lives. China respects Tibetans’ beliefs and the development of their culture. Tibet uses its own system of writing. Even Chinese currency has Tibetan letters.  Tibetan medicine now has very prosperous care centers even in Beijing. There is plenty of freedom.

Solutions to These Incidents

Why has this crisis erupted in Tibet?

AMBASSADOR LIU: This is has all been very intentionally organized the Dalai Lama group, in order to oppose the central government and to win sympathy and support in the international community. This group of the Dalai Lama (exists to promote) Tibet's independence, although lately the Dalai Lama wants to take the third path: not Tibetan independence, but autonomy.

Is the Chinese government considering autonomy for Tibet?

AMBASSADOR LIU: Herein lies a deception of the Dalai Lama. Tibetans already have autonomy. They’ve had it for many years. It was established as the Autonomous Region of Tibet nearly 50 years ago. Thus, it is already a fact. Therefore, within the autonomous region of Tibet, one may have religious beliefs, one’s own national alphabet, Tibetan medicine and are free to take pictures. The parliamentarians who have visited Tibet can tell you about the development of this autonomous region. Where servants once lived, but where today enjoy human rights; not like when the Dalai Lama ruled.

Ambassador, you said that the crisis was resolved in Lhasa.

AMBASSADOR LIU: Those who are causing disturbances consist of a very limited number of monks and citizens. Most people support the government’s steps to restore public safety and do not want riots in Lhasa. This is why the conflict only lasted a few days; from March 14 to March 18. Public order has been restored. The monks are swimming against the current and the very will of the Tibetan majority. Thus, these attempts are doomed to failure.

Statements of Senator Jaime Naranjo

You are probably aware of the statements made by Senator Naranjo, president of the Senate Committee on Human Rights, who condemned the attitude of the Chinese government in these incidents ...

AMBASSADOR LIU: I would like to visit senator Naranjo to talk about this issue, because I believe he has received his information mainly from the Press. I do not know whether the senator has been to Tibet or not.

The former chairman of the Senate, Sergio Romero, the former chairman of the House of Representatives, Senator Patricio Walker and Hernán Larraín were there.  They might be able to talk about their impressions of Tibet.  I have not talked specifically with the senators about this issue. But if the senators, who have expressed their doubts today, actually know the history of Tibet and who the Dalai Lama is and why the protests are occurring, I am truly regret (their statements).