Canada: On 19 January, Sunday, the Office of Tibet, Washington DC in cooperation with Federation for a Democratic China organized Finding Common Ground Forum – Canada Sino-Tibet New Year Networking. Former parliamentarians of Canada, representatives from Tibetan community in Toronto, leaders from various movements and Chinese youth democracy activists joined this gathering.
Chinese Liaison Officer Tsultrim Gyatso representing the Office of Tibet thanked all the participants and the effort of collaboration to promote dialogue. He explained the theme of Finding Common Ground was initiated with His Holiness visionary leadership and promotion of dialogue between Chinese and Tibetans, emphasising that how it has developed into broader platform that brings together experts and leaders from different movements to network and explore prospects of change in China. Tsultrim also raised concern on claims that Chinese government brag on development in Tibet as footage from Dingri earthquake shows minimal actual improvement in Tibetan people’s livelihood and warned on building hydropower projects will lead to enormous disaster as Tibet remains an active seismic zone.
Former Canadian MP Lizon attended the event and delivered his appreciation to Tibetan and Chinese human rights defenders on standing for freedom. Former Canadian senator Denino also sent his regards through phone call and wished on a successful event. Sonam Lankar, president of Tibetan Association of Toronto welcomed participants to the Tibetan Community Center and shared their dedication to facilitate such forum to support vision of His Holiness and policy of Central Tibetan Administration. VTAG Canada members also joined with other local Tibetans to extend dialogue with Chinese.
Sheng Xue renowned Chinese democracy activist in Canada spoke on evolution of Chinese democracy movement in Canada and her involvement in Sino-Tibet dialogue including her participation in previous conference of Finding Common Ground. Winnie Ng, Ontario Director of the Canadian Labour Congress shared her experience of engaging in Sino-Tibetan dialogue since late eighties and expressed her appreciation to Tibetan community in leading the fight of freedom with extending collaboration with other movements.
Daniel Yogi, Canadian Director of Happy Science Japan, Kyung B Lee – Chairman of North Korean Human Rights Association, Ed Chin, renowned Hong Kong advocate, Shen, famous Chinese youtuber in Canada, Yang Ruohui and Jiang Jiaqi, rising Chinese youth activists in Canada and many other representatives from Hong Kong, Taiwan and Chinese democratic movement shared their thought and expressed importance of collaboration for collective goal.
–Report filed by Office of Tibet, Washington DC
Office of Tibet in Washington DC Hosts Sino-Tibetan Dialogue to Find Common Ground Forum in Canada
