Dharamshala: On 31 August 2026, the three-day international conference titled “Democratic China and Future of Tibet Forum” commenced at Dhauladhar Heights Resort in Dharamshala.
Organised by the Tibetan Community Development Fund (TCDF) in collaboration with the Tibet Policy Institute (TPI), the Forum brought together 28 participants—including journalists, translators, scholars, civil society advocates, and experts from across the globe, the majority of whom are of Chinese origin—to foster critical dialogue on human rights and contemporary policies concerning Tibet and China. The Forum seeks to build sustained partnerships and develop concrete strategies for nonviolent advocacy and democratic transformation.
Sikyong Penpa Tsering of the Central Tibetan Administration attended the inauguration of the conference as its Chief Guest and delivered a keynote address.
The inaugural session commenced with opening remarks by Tsultrim Gyatso, Chinese Liaison Officer at the Office of Tibet, Washington D.C., followed by welcome remarks from Secretary Tenzin Lekshay, Director of the Tibet Policy Institute, both of whom provided an overview of the three-day gathering and its key objectives.
Addressing the gathering, Sikyong Penpa Tsering spoke on several critical issues during the ceremony, including the historical and contemporary dimensions of Sino-Tibetan relations, the Middle Way Approach of the Central Tibetan Administration, the question of the reincarnation of His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama, the importance of collaboration between Tibetans and Chinese in exile, and the need for informed and constructive dialogue to help resolve the Sino-Tibet conflict.
