Tibet is "confident but cautious" towards election of next Chinese President Xi Jinping
Lhasa (AsiaNews) - Tensions are high in the province of Qinghai, after five Tibetans set themselves on fire to demand the return of the Dalai Lama in Tibet and the end of the Chinese regime. Beijing has dispatched paramilitary units to Rebgong county, to contain a protest by thousands of people in Rongwo. The demonstration took shape after a sixth young man of 18, Jinpa, decided to set himself on fire in front of the monastery of the prefecture of Huangnan. His self immolation brings the total number of Tibetans to set themselves on fire to 69 for the freedom of their country, their people and their spiritual guide. Local sources report that the Chinese police have threatened the protesters to two years in prison if make international calls to warn of what is happening. The sacrifices were carried out simultaneously with the opening of the 18th Congress of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), which will mark the conclusion of the government Hu Jintao and the birth of the "fifth generation" of leaders. AsiaNews interviews Penpa Tsering, President of the Tibetan Parliament in exile on Xi Jinping, the current vice president indicated as a future leader of the new Chinese political class, and what effects his election might have on the Tibetan people.
What is your view of the probable election of Xi Jinping as the next Chinese President?
Any change of leadership and of leaders in favour of the younger generation is a good thing, in any society worldwide. We are hopeful about the election of Xi Jinping, not only for the resolution of the Tibetan issue, but for the future of the Chinese people as well. However, at the same time we will adopt a wait and see attitude.
As far as the future of the Tibetan people is concerned, who are still under subjugation, it is still too difficult to say whether this new leadership will be positive, but as Tibetans, we hope for the best, but are cautious. We hope that something good will come about.
Our hopes are for our Chinese brothers and sisters too, that this new leadership will infuse, fresh vision with international freedoms for the Chinese people.
China's new leaders must usher in an era of greater transparency, more freedoms, more liberties better rule of law and democracy.
During the cultural revolution, Xi Jinping was an agricultural labourer. Do you think this will be of any value?
We are encouraged by the fact that Xi Jinping has known the basic reality of China. He himself had to face many problems, so he knows firsthand the suffering, difficulties and pain of the people.
What about dialogue between China and Tibet?
We are very concerned that there has been no dialogue since 2010, and that the previous nine years of talks did not lead to any concrete results. With this election, we hope that further negotiations can resume.
Explain the Tibetan issue
The Tibet issue is the question that the Chinese people, the government and the political class can not ignore. His Holiness the Dalai Lama has been very clear: we must focus on the future and not the past; accept overall autonomy for the entire area in which Tibetans live and the Chinese must comply with the Tibetan ways of life, language, culture, religion and identity.
The Chinese leadership must resolve the current situation in Tibet as soon as possible, and seek a lasting solution to the Tibetan issue, based on the approach of the Middle Way taught by His Holiness the Dalai Lama.
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