New York: On 17 January 2025, the Hu-Zhao Foundation and the China Democracy Party jointly organised a symposium commemorate the 20th anniversary of Zhao Ziyang’s passing. Tsultrim Gyatso, the Chinese Liaison Officer at the Office of Tibet, Washington DC, attended the event. The symposium was chaired by Hu Ping, renowned editor of Beijing Spring and attended by numerous Chinese intellectuals, including Wang Juntao, chairman of the China Democracy Party, along with Qin Jin, Zhang Jie, Zheng Xuguang, Wen Guanzhong, Xiang Xiaoji, Rong Wei, Gu Weiqun, Wan Yanhai, and He Pin. Participants reflected on Zhao Ziyang’s philosophy, contributions and influence, while also exchanging views on current U.S.-China relations and the prospects of China’s democratic movement.
Tsultrim Gyatso noted that the Central Tibetan Administration has always embraced engagement with Chinese, maintaining the position of Chinese Liaison Officer to promote Sino-Tibetan dialogue. He mentioned that although the new generation of Tibetans did not personally experience the era of Hu Yaobang and Zhao Ziyang, they have learned about this history through literature and His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s speeches. He recalled the policies implemented during Hu and Zhao’s tenure, including tax reduction, policy relaxation, withdrawal of Han Chinese officials, and reduced controls, expressing regret that one of closest opportunity to resolve Tibet-China conflict was lost amid power struggles within the communist party of that time.
Regarding the recent earthquake in Tibet’s Dingri region, Tsultrim Gyatso pointed out that this disaster exposed numerous problems in the CCP’s development in Tibet. He noted that footage circulating showed many collapsed buildings were of poor construction quality. When Tibetans from all regions spontaneously organised rescue efforts, authorities hindered relief work out of concern over Tibetan unity as threat to their control over Tibet. He also provided a detailed analysis of Tibet’s seismically active zones’ geographical features, warning that large-scale hydroelectric projects in the region not only threaten local Tibetans’ safety but could also pose disaster risks to neighbouring countries.
Tsultrim also emphasised that recent wars have shown how hatred and violence only lead to more harm. Under the leadership of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, Tibetan-Chinese relations have avoided falling into generational antagonism. He urged all parties to remember His Holiness’s non-violent principles, continue promoting dialogue and jointly resist disinformation and tyranny.
–Filed by Office of Tibet, Washington DC
Chinese Liaison Officer Attends Symposium on Zhao Ziyang in New York.
Chinese Liaison Officer Attends Symposium on Zhao Ziyang in New York.
Chinese Liaison Officer Attends Symposium on Zhao Ziyang in New York.
