Transcript
LODI GYALTSEN GYARI:
(Prepared remarks)
I would like to thank the John L. Thornton China Center and the Center for Northeast Asian Policy Studies of the Brookings Institution for providing this opportunity to discuss the current status of discussions between representatives of His Holiness the Dalai Lama and the Chinese government. Since 2002 the two sides have completed five rounds of discussions. These have gone a long way towards establishing a climate of openness that is essential to reaching mutually agreeable decisions regarding the future of the Tibetan and Chinese people.
We Tibetans have been encouraged by the new focus within China's leadership on the creation of a "harmonious society." A society built on harmony is a society built on consensus and one that takes into account the needs of all its peoples. This is particularly true in a country like today's China, which is comprised of so many distinct nationalities.
Similarly, we are encouraged by the concept of China's "peaceful rise", whereby it will develop as a "modern socialist country that is prosperous, democratic, and culturally advanced." While this philosophy candidly addresses a number of issues that confront China today, to be lasting it must take into account the aspirations of the Tibetan people; peace and stability can only be achieved by peaceful means. Embracing its diversity and protecting the identity of the Tibetan people is integral to China's successful "peaceful rise".
His Holiness the Dalai Lama's forward-looking approach to Tibet's future shares a common vision with these ideals of harmony and peaceful development, as illustrated by his deep understanding of humanity's interdependence and his philosophy of universal responsibility. In an address to the European Parliament, His Holiness said,
"Today's world requires us to accept the oneness of humanity ... The world is becoming increasingly interdependent. Within the context of this new interdependence, self-interest clearly lies in considering the interest of others. Without the cultivation of a sense of universal responsibility our very future is in danger."
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