15 Nov
2013
15 Nov
'13
4:22 p.m.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Nov. 15, 2013
Contact: Rohit Mahajan 202 530 4976 <mailto:mahajanr@rfa.org>
mahajanr(a)rfa.org
Tibetan Exile Leader Visits Radio Free Asia
'China's hardline policies are not working': Sangay
WASHINGTON - Speaking with Radio Free Asia <http://www.rfa.org/english/>
(RFA) today, Lobsang Sangay, the political head of the Tibetan
government-in-exile, renewed his call for China to find a resolution to the
Tibetan issue through dialogue. Sangay's comments came during a live
interview with RFA's Tibetan Service at RFA's headquarters in Washington.
"We are telling the Chinese leadership that their hardline policies are not
working in Tibet," Sangay said. "When the Tibetans inside Tibet are
resisting by refusing to fly the Chinese national flag in Driru and are
protesting against Chinese mining operations, this is proof that China's
hardline policy cannot last.
"Only through talk and dialogue can the Tibet issue be resolved."
Sangay, known as the Sikyong, is the elected head of the Central Tibetan
Administration (CTA), headquartered in Dharamsala, India. Before visiting
RFA's studios, Sangay met with Under Secretary Maria Otero at the U.S. State
Department, and with U.S. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) and
Representative Ed Royce (R-CA), Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs
Committee, among other U.S. officials to discuss recent developments in
China's Tibetan regions. Over the last two years, more than 120 Tibetans
have self-immolated in protest of Beijing's rule.
RFA's Tibetan Service has closely covered this topic
<http://www.rfa.org/english/news/tibet> , as well as China's crackdown and
the region's unrest, which recently has included large-scale demonstrations
against forced displays
<http://www.rfa.org/english/news/tibet/flags-11132013170239.html> of
loyalty to the Chinese state by Tibetans. Sangay's interview was webcast on
RFA Tibetan's website and broadcast via shortwave radio. The full interview
is available on the service's website <http://www.rfa.org/tibetan/> .
# # #
Radio Free Asia is a private, nonprofit corporation broadcasting and
publishing online news, information, and commentary in nine East Asian
languages to listeners who do not have access to full and free news media.
RFA's broadcasts seek to promote the rights of freedom of opinion and
expression, including the freedom to "seek, receive, and impart information
and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers." RFA is funded by
an annual grant from the Broadcasting Board of Governors.
Rohit Mahajan | Radio Free Asia | Media Relations Manager
<mailto:mahajanr@rfa.org> mahajanr(a)rfa.org | O: 202.530.4976 | M:
202.489.8021
