Tibetan leader: Tibet is seeking autonomy, not independence

By Memet Tursun

Tibet’s government-in-exile leader, Sikyong Penpa Tsering, spoke at an event held at the National Press Club, which is broadcasted on Australian TV and attended by prominent members of the press and observers. He stated that Tibetans would accept Chinese rule if granted genuine autonomy, emphasizing that the quality of rule is more important than the ruling party. Penpa Tsering reiterated the commitment to resolving the conflict through the “Middle Way Approach” and called for recognition of Tibet’s historically independent status.

‘So one polarity is the status of Tibet, historical status as an independent state, and the other polarity is the present state of Tibet under the government of the PRC [People’s Republic of China],’ he said. ‘We are trying to seek a solution of an autonomous arrangement whereby Tibetans would have the freedom to practise its language, protect its environment, you know, and preserve its culture and religion and language. So these are basic fundamental rights, which are taken for granted in the free world [but] that does not exist in Tibet. So this is what we are asking for. We are not asking for independence’

“If those kinds of autonomies are granted to the Tibetans, they will be happy to live under the framework of the People’s Republic of China’s constitution,”

“It is not a matter of who rules; it is the quality of the rule,” he said, speaking to the Australian National Press Club in Canberra on “resolving Sino-Tibet conflict and securing peace in the region.”

Despite Chinese opposition, he addressed the Australian National Press Club and highlighted Chinese government control over Tibetan affairs. Penpa Tsering’s visit to Australia received overwhelming support, showing backing for the Tibetan cause among parliamentarians and the community.