Sikyong Penpa Tsering Successfully Concluded Official Engagements in the United States

United States: On 21 December 2024, Sikyong arrived at the final stop of his official U.S. tour, San Francisco. His arrival at San Francisco International Airport was met with a warm reception, as a long line of Tibetans eagerly awaited him, reflecting the city’s significant Tibetan population. This was further evidenced by the impressive turnout at Sikyong’s public address later that evening.

During the evening event at the auditorium of Berkeley Adult School, Sikyong honoured Prof Dr Micheal Van Walt Van Praag, co-author of Tibet Brief 20/20 and a steadfast advocate for the Tibetan cause. In his remarks, Sikyong commended Prof Michael’s unwavering dedication to advancing the Tibetan struggle through various means. In his thank-you speech, Michael shared insights from his extensive work, not only on Tibet but also on parallel struggles in other nations, many of which have since achieved freedom. He underscored the inevitability of historical change, stating, “No empire has survived forever… Communist China will fall.”

Following Sikyong’s address, a lively Q&A session provided attendees an opportunity to raise pressing concerns. Questions regarding the challenges faced by the dispersed Tibetan diaspora and the Central Tibetan Administration’s plans to establish schools abroad were also asked. In response, Sikyong highlighted efforts by a group of Tibetans from Minnesota who are working on a charter school and a Tibet Town project. He expressed optimism about these initiatives, envisioning a Tibetan community where Tibetans could live in close proximity and younger generations could grow up immersed in their language, culture, and traditions.

During his stay, Sikyong also visited the Tibetan Sunday School in San Francisco, where he engaged closely with students and parents. Moving from class to class, he interacted with students, who were learning Tibetan language, dance, and music. Sikyong commended the school for its dedication to preserving and promoting Tibetan heritage. Following his visit, he delivered a PowerPoint presentation to the students, focusing on Tibet’s global significance. He emphasised the importance of understanding Tibet’s history, noting that many Tibetans, both young and old, are unaware of basic facts about their homeland. He urged students to cultivate this knowledge and encouraged them to read Securing Tibet’s Future, a comprehensive vision paper prepared by the CTA that outlines geopolitical, cultural, and environmental significance of Tibet, along with the 16th Kashag’s vision of securing resolution to long-standing Tibet-China conflict through Middle Way Approach, improving the welfare of Tibetans in Exile, and enhancing CTA’s administrative efficiency and capacity.

Sikyong also called upon Tibetans to deepen their connection with their cultural heritage during Lhakar by not only dancing to Tibetan songs but also speaking in Tibetan. He stressed the importance of reading and understanding song lyrics before singing and dancing, encouraging individuals to fully immerse themselves in the process. This, he explained, not only enhances the enjoyment of such activities but also strengthens one’s appreciation and understanding of Tibetan language and culture.

In a Q&A session with Tibetan youth, Sikyong was asked about the Chinese narrative of having developed Tibet. He criticised the unidimensional nature of such claims, highlighting that these projects often disregard environmental and social consequences. Sikyong urged people to critically evaluate these developments by asking, “Who is benefiting the most from these projects?” and emphasised the need for thorough assessments of their environmental and social impacts.

In the days that followed, Sikyong held productive meetings with Tibet supporters, visited the Gyuto Foundation Inc, and gave an interview to ABC News Live, which aired on 23 December 2024 at 7:30 PM EST. With the conclusion of his engagements, Sikyong departed San Francisco on 24 December 2024, successfully wrapping up his official U.S. tour.