Lisbon: Sikyong Penpa Tsering’s visit to Portugal, the first such visit by an elected political head of CTA following in the footsteps of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, who visited the country in 2001 and 2007, respectively, served as a significant step forward in the 16th Kashag’s outreach strategy towards opening new doors of political engagement with previously untapped nations.
During his visit, Sikyong held high-level meetings with members of the Portuguese Parliament from multi parties, including MPs Regina Bastos and Bruno Ventura from the Social Democrat Party, MP Rui Tavares from the LIVRE party, MP de Sousa Real from the People Animals Nature party, and MP Rodrigo Saraiva from the Liberal Initiative Party. Throughout the visit, Sikyong Penpa Tsering was accompanied by Representative Rigzin Choedon Genkhang, the Office of Tibet, Brussels.
In these discussions, Sikyong Penpa Tsering delivered a crucial message to European nations, particularly Portugal, urging them to re-evaluate their China policies in light of the EU’s de-risking approach toward Beijing. This carries special significance as Portugal has recently seen increased Chinese investment, contrary to broader trends in Europe.
“The only nonviolent way”, Sikyong notes, to counter China’s growing belligerence is through cutting down the trade with China. Sikyong’s position remains that the Tibetans do not stand against China’s growth but challenge its increasing aggressiveness in imposing its authoritarian regime in international relations at the cost of democratic values.
The visit’s impact was immediately evident when the Chinese embassy in Portugal issued a written response, as reported by Lusa and Expresso, two well-known Portuguese media. (Read the Expresso story here)
In his interview with Expresso, Sikyong highlighted the purpose of his visit: “We are not asking governments to take a position if they don’t want to. But at least listen to what we have to say and try to find out if it is true or not. And if it turns out to be true, then we must decide what is best for this world – whether to stand with autocrats or with democrats.”
During his meetings in Lisbon, Sikyong Penpa Tsering discussed how Tibet’s plight deepens every day, including the systemic erasure of Tibetan history from the minds of future generations and the coopting of Tibetan religious traditions, which lie at the heart of Tibetan cultural identity.
Despite six decades of intensifying repression, he emphasised how Tibetans in Tibet and exile continue to embrace nonviolence and dialogue under His Holiness’ guidance.
Following Sikyong’s meetings with the MPs, the Liberal Initiative Party MP Rodrigo Saraiva, announced that he would soon present a draft resolution to continue the “parliamentary and formal efforts to support the Tibetan people’s cause and their right to self-determination.” This initiative follows the party’s May 2023 vote of concern in the Foreign Affairs Committee regarding the 29th anniversary of the abduction of the 11th Panchen Lama by China.
As part of media engagement, Sikyong spoke exclusively with both Luso and Expresso. Read the interview here.
While in Lisbon, Sikyong was received by U.S. Chargé d’Affaires Douglas Koneef, who hosted him at the American Embassy on 14 November. He also held discussions with Dr Vera Jardim, the President of the Commission on Religious Liberty and former Minister of Justice, who had previously met His Holiness during his visits to Portugal in 2001 and 2007.
Sikyong also held talks with Professor Paulo Morais and Dr Batalha, both social and political commentators based in Porto. Professor Morais was actively involved in organising His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s visits to Portugal in 2001 and 2007.
Throughout the visit spanning from 12 to 14 November, Sikyong Penpa Tsering was accompanied by Representative Rigzin Choedon Genkhang, the Office of Tibet, Brussels.
MP Rodrigo Saraiva, Liberal Initiative Party, voices his support for the parliamentary initiative on Tibet after the meeting with Sikyong.
Sikyong Penpa Tsering and Representative Genkhang with MP Regina Bastos and MP Bruno Ventura Social Democrat Party.
Sikyong Penpa Tsering and Representative Genkhang with MP Rui Tavares, LIVRE party.
Sikyong and Representative Genkhang with MP Ines de Sousa Real.
Sikyong with Dr Vera Jardim, President of the Commission on Religious Liberty and former Minister of Justice.
Sikyong with Professor Paulo Morais and Dr Batalha, who are social and political commentators based in Porto.
Sikyong and Representative with the current and two former Presidents of the Portuguese Buddhist Union.
