Sydney: The first day of Sikyong Penpa Tsering’s second official visit to Australia commenced on 11 July 2025 in Sydney with a live morning interview on ABC News at the ABC Studios, Sydney. The timing of the interview was particularly significant, taking place ahead of Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s visit to China.
During the interview, Sikyong called on the Prime Minister to express an interest in visiting Tibet to the Chinese leadership, citing the Chinese government’s frequent portrayal of Tibet as a “socialist paradise.” Sikyong suggested that a first-hand visit would be an appropriate way to assess the reality behind such narratives.
Following the interview, Sikyong addressed members of the Tibetan community of New South Wales. He was accompanied by Representative Karma Singey and Chinese Liaison Officer Dawa Sangmo from the Tibet Information Office, along with Ngawang Choezin, President of the Tibetan Association of NSW.
In his public address, Sikyong underscored that the achievements of the Tibetan people in exile are attributable to the enduring grace and leadership of His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama. He emphasised that the international respect for His Holiness plays a significant role in the warm reception and recognition Tibetans receive globally. Acknowledging that many Tibetan Australians have benefited from the Australian Government’s Special Humanitarian Program, he reminded the community to remain grateful to His Holiness and urged them to refrain from disrespectful or divisive speech that undermines His Holiness’s profound legacy.
When questioned on India’s position on Tibet, Sikyong reaffirmed that the very existence of the Tibetan Government in Exile is made possible by the support of the Government of India. He stated unequivocally that while no sovereign nation can be expected to prioritise another’s cause over its national interest, India has consistently extended meaningful support to the Tibetan people.
In the evening, Sikyong attended the 90th birthday celebration of His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama at the NSW Parliament. The event was hosted by Liz Deep-Johns and attended by a distinguished group of guests, including Dr Sophie Scamps MP, Michael Regan MP, Reverend Bill Crews of the Rev. Bill Crews Foundation, Professor Chongyi Feng, Karla Grant, Jayne Christian, and Kylie Kwong.
The celebration brought together friends and long-standing supporters of the Tibetan cause in honour of His Holiness’s life, legacy, and universal message of compassion and non-violence. Special guests shared personal reflections on their encounters with His Holiness. Michael Regan MP quoted his favourite quote by His Holiness: “Be kind whenever possible. It is always possible.” Reverend Bill Crews reflected on the profound moral and spiritual influence of His Holiness on humanity. Dr Sophie Scamps MP praised the Tibetan community in Dee Why for their meaningful contributions to Australian society and expressed her admiration for His Holiness’s recent statement regarding the continuation of the Dalai Lama institution, noting the joy it must have brought Tibetans both inside Tibet and in exile.
The event concluded with a keynote address by Sikyong, in which he reiterated the urgency of the Tibetan struggle and called upon the international community to renew its commitment to Tibet. He stressed that the Tibetan people, now more than ever, require steadfast global support and reaffirmed that Tibetans remain resolute in their commitment and will never relinquish their struggle.
