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![]() ![]() Tibet and China : Brothers or Neighbours Tibetan Bulletin September-October 1996
TODAY, as an exiled Chinese democracy dissident, who has experienced many hard-ships in the pursuit of democracy, freedom, human rights, and the rule of law, I feel extremely honoured to participate in this conference in support of Tibetan people's struggle for liberation. Furthermore, as a Chinese, every time I witness, at the United Nations Plaza, the joint protests by Chinese dissidents and Tibetan freedom fighters against visiting Chinese Communist officials, I earnestly believe that our struggle is the same. People who suffer from oppression throughout the world should all be brothers and sisters; they should not be separated by divisions of class, nationality or ethnicity. On the front line of resistance against Communist China's totalitarian rule, we and the Tibetan people are fighting allies. The Communists not only oppress the Tibetan people, they also oppress the Han people and other minorities. The sufferings of the Tibetans are also the sufferings of other nationalities inside China, though at the present stage, the pain of the Tibetans is more severe than others. We fully understand the sentiment and demands of the Tibetan people. We eagerly await the day when the Han and Tibetan peoples will be able to live in harmony like friends and brothers and sisters. For the overseas democracy dissidents and Chinese students, the overwhelming majority regards the suffering and human rights struggle of the Tibetan people with sympathy and support. Although some are sceptical or hold different degrees of opposition, this does not obscure our general support for the Tibetans' struggle against tyranny. As Chinese democracy dissidents, we have to stand at the forefront of an era. First of all, we have to tell people that the urgent task at hand is to put our efforts into ending the dictatorship of the Chinese Communists, reform China's social system, realize democracy, freedom, human rights, and the rule of law. Only under such preconditions can the people have the opportunity to decide what kind of society and political system they want. In recent years, Chinese democracy dissidents have been very concerned about the Tibetan question. From many discussions and observations, they have concluded three principles. First is the principle of democracy, which means the Tibetan people have the right to decide their own fate and way of life. The right to self-determinations is affirmed; other nationalities cannot decide for them. Second is the principle of peace, which means opposition to the use of violence as a solution to the question of separation. The army should absolutely not be used to massacre unarmed people. Third is the principle of transition. If at present there exists a great chasm on the question of separation which cannot be solved, then there can be long-term negotiations. First, allow Tibet to realize a high level of self-autonomy. After 5 to 10 years, under the conditions of harmony and mutual respect, then engage in further discussion for solutions. After everyone has experienced, over a long period, understanding and befriending one another; and received mutual benefits, then the separatism question will no longer be so important. If such conditions exist for a long time, and the people of Tibet still want independence and feel that being neighbours is better than brothers and sisters, they can also through a plebiscite determine their own future. China's future democratic government must respect Tibet's choice. Overseas Chinese democracy dissidents are fond of the following saying: "Without a democratic China, there can be no separation. Once China is democratic, there is no need for independence." This saying naturally has its own rationale, but I feel, whether necessary or not, only the Tibetans have the right to determine their own fate. For so many years in the past, this world was much more divided than now; and many years into the future, may be there will be a commonwealth, a global village. The unification or separation that we pursue today is only a ripple in the river of history. The highest principle which we pur-sue should be what is the welfare and true will of the people and their freedom of choice. I once said, a marriage stems from mutual consent, only mutual willingness is sufficient. Divorce happens when only one side insists on its own. And a marriage without the freedom of divorce can only leave people in fear and without happiness. This February, I visited Tibet's government-in-exile in Dharamsala, India. I met with the Dalai Lama, members of the government, and Tibetans who have fled Tibet in the past and present. What amazed me was this little town's rare virtues. They have established the world's most virtuous government. The officials all live frugal lives, making sacrifices for their religion and ideas. Many foreign friends went there to do voluntary work for the Tibetan refugees. And many Tibetans from Tibet have sent their children to attend school in Dharamsala. One innocent little Tibetan girl asked me: "When you hear us shout China out of Tibet at protest meetings, do you get mad?" I awkwardly laughed and replied that I am not China, I am a Chinese. Actually I have a very clear understanding. The China referred to was Communist China, and the Communist officials who oppress Tibetans, and the army which has massacred the people of Tibet. The real people of China and Tibet are friends. In the future we will be good neighbours or brothers and sisters. Lastly, I urge all just people throughout the world to give Tibetans more moral and material support. I also urge the people and democracy dissidents of China to truly be concerned, sympa-thetic, understanding, and supportive of the Tibetan movement for the end of slavery and the struggle for freedom.
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