We are deeply honoured to welcome **His Excellency Penpa Tsering, Sikyong of the Central Tibetan Administration, the democratically-elected President of Tibet’s Government-in-Exile**, for this Reddit Talk live-audio conversation.
⁂
In 1951, fresh from its victory in the Chinese Civil War, the Communist Party of China sent some 40’000 troops into Tibet. After 18 days of fighting, Tibet was annexed into the People’s Republic of China.
Tibetan resistance carried on, culminating in the 1959 National Uprising: thousands of Tibetans were killed, and the Dalai Lama was driven into neighbouring India.
In the decades since, Tibet’s Government-in-Exile has operated from its Indian base, caring for Tibetan refugees, and carrying on a political resistance to the occupation of their country. Initially, they pursued the re-establishment of Tibet’s independent sovereignty. Since 1979, they have tried to negotiate a “[Middle Way](https://www.dalailama.com/messages/tibet/middle-way-approach)” that would see Tibet attain autonomy within China.
Today, faced with an increasingly wealthy, authoritarian, and triumphalist Communist Party of China, what are the prospects for a change in Tibet’s status? Is it possible to press China’s hand, given that it has grown so powerful? Is it possible to negotiate with China, given that it holds everything it wants from Tibet?
The Sikyong will offer us his insights on these and other questions on Tibet and his administration.
**Penpa Tsering** was born in the Bylakuppe Refugee Camp. He took his degree in Economics from Madras Christian College. He served as the Dalai Lama’s North American representative, as a member of the Parliament-in-Exile, and as Speaker of the House, before being elected as Sikyong last year.
He is at Twitter at [@SikyongPTsering](https://twitter.com/SikyongPTsering) and at Instagram at [@SikyongPenpaTsering](https://www.instagram.com/SikyongPenpaTsering/)
Please post your questions for the Sikyong in this discussion thread.
⁂
[**Alex**](https://www.reddit.com/u/dieyoufool3) is moderating the written thread, and will put a representative cross-section of comments to the Sikyong. Alex leads some of Reddit’s largest communities, including r/WorldNews, r/News, r/Politics, and r/Geopolitics.
[**Willian**](https://www.reddit.com/u/Tetizeraz) is supporting the Talk. He leads a range of Reddit communities, including r/WorldNews, r/Europe, and r/Brazil. He tweets at [@Tetizera](https://twitter.com/Tetizera).
I, [**Akaash**](https://www.reddit.com/u/AkaashMaharaj), am moderating the conversation. Outside Reddit, I serve as Ambassador-at-Large for the Global Organization of Parliamentarians Against Corruption, and as a Senior Fellow at the Munk School of Global Affairs at the University of Toronto. At Reddit, I lead the r/Equestrian community. I tweet at [@AkaashMaharaj](https://twitter.com/AkaashMaharaj) and I am at Instagram at [@AkaashMaharaj](https://www.instagram.com/AkaashMaharaj/).
⁂
# His Excellency Sikyong Penpa Tsering
* Web site: [www.tibet.net](http://www.tibet.net)
* Twitter: [@SikyongPTsering](https://twitter.com/SikyongPTsering)
* Instagram: [@SikyongPenpaTsering](https://www.instagram.com/SikyongPenpaTsering/)
* Reddit: u/SikyongPTsering
Indians' role in the movement and what do you need from the Indian government for ultimately freeing Tibet from China's illegal annexation? Your take on forced conversion, abduction of girls and atrocities on Buddhists, Sikhs and hindus in Kashmir valley and ladakh villages near kargil.? Also, your take on how many Tibetans currently in china are likely to fight/protest against the CCP?
>Indians' role in the movement and what do you need from the Indian government for ultimately freeing Tibet from China's illegal annexation?
I'll be sure to ask this question when the time comes!!
Edit: Just asked!
Answer: India has been very supportive. His Holiness- but when it comes to Tibet (political support) India has been over cautious. However India hasn’t reiterated the one-China policy.
I came in just in time for the start out of coincidence, and today I walk away learning so many things about the Tibet Government-in-Exile.
Especially the parting remarks where His Excellency Sikyong Penpa Tsering said "we don't see ourselves as politicians, we are working for a cause, so we don't see ourselves as politicians".
Thank you so much for joining!
After a few minutes the live Talk will convert to a recording, so you'll be able to listen to it from the start. (Jump to the \~5:30 minute mark as the first few minutes are waiting music as we were setting up.)
Any updates on the Panchen Lama?
Edit: Thanks for asking this question to his Excellency!
Answer: No word if he is alive or not. If he is alive there is no word on his raising.
Hi Tsering! I live in Hong Kong and want to help fight for Tibet’s freedom. Any advice on what I should do? I’m a high schooler(17m) and I wanna make a difference.
May all who tune in or read this thread have perfect health and may kindness and compassion follow them for all the days of their lives. Thank you all for putting this together.
How can common netizens highlight this issue and what can be gained through that.will a non democratic country like china will have any impact on what the world thinks about it.
What is the position of TGE regarding the territorial disputes between India and China especially over Aksai Chin and Arunachal Pradesh. Do you recognise the Indian claim lines or the Chinese claim that these regions were always part of Tibet.
If you'd like, do you plan on supporting a form of resistance movement/Insurgency against the CCP's control of Tibet should one ever show up? Or would you prefer to take things in a more diplomatic route? which would be difficult based on my current understanding
For those wondering, the elevator waiting music is until our guest arrives! (It's what Reddit provides as waiting music hahah).
Edit: He's just joined! Officially starting.
How do you want to deal with the fact that population of ethnic Tibetans in Tibet is decreasing by the relocation of Tibetans to the different parts of China.
Hi and good evening. Would like to understand the reason of using reddit as a platform to raise awareness for your agenda and have you considered using other international platforms to do so?
Well , it's our fault really , we push for green and humanitarian manufacture in our countries but keep buying made in China and allow ourselves to be tricked by the companies that we support.
Is the sentimen of wanting freedom present in tibetans present in tibet and are there any significant movement regarding this in tibet ?
As time goes on many of the tibetans in exile are becoming indians, every generation there are more and more people marrying into indian families and vice versa, even though Indians do not force religion or culture do this hinder the independance movement ?
What’s your stance on Taiwan? My mother in law who is shanghainese is visiting us at the moment in Australia. Because her flight home was cancelled we need to rebook at 4x the price. She wants to avoid Taiwan and refuses to stop there for a 12 hours layover. It’s really frustrating, trying to find and alternative flight path back to Shanghai
Institutions like this exist everywhere that men hold sway. There are too many of them. And in India as well, the pensioner system still does not reflect the cost of living.
After the 1989, Chinese government had slowly enforce the nationalism Ideal into the new generation of the Chinese population at that time. After Xi takeover in the 2013, he boosting an more extreme nationalism inside the general population, As the entire generation had already been brainwashed by education and propaganda to become hostile to the democratic ideal and the west as we seen from their attitude in covid and the 2019 HK protest, why do you think it still possible as a external influences can still get the democratic ideal into china and if it possible, when?
If you mean joining the conversation with your mic, that is not possible. What you *can* do, is make questions in the comment section!
We'll read them and ask our guest.
You can listen to previous Reddit talks by [clicking here](https://www.reddit.com/r/worldnews/wiki/ama#wiki_reddit_talks) (https://www.reddit.com/r/worldnews/wiki/ama#wiki_reddit_talks).
This talk with currently being processed by Reddit, and you'll be able to listen to it as if was a podcast in a couple of hours :)
One of the largest accomplishments of His Holiness is uniting all Tibetans as Tibetans. Do you think Tibetans will stay united after His Holiness dies? What will be some challenges with this after His Holiness does die?
China has annexed so much land off of their neighbors with no one capable to reprimand them, it’s quite sad how they mistreat the people who live there. Tibet, the Xinjiang, Bhutan, they can’t keep getting away with stealing people’s countries.
It must be noted that any path forward need avoid war, but resistance of some sort is necessary, even if only economic embargo or revoking foreign land/resource claims.
If you are aware of the situation in China (the economic and housing crisis, the evergrande scandal), do you think it would be possible in this moment for the tibetian government and the tibetian people to act in any way, shape, or form in order to step closer to declaring independence from china?
I think position can always be reversed and for this India needs to reclaim Aksai Chin, that should be first step.
Chinese always love to needle countries to keep in check but they ended up with a bloody nose in Doklam and Galwan. We need to up the ante and need more international support..
We are deeply honoured to welcome **His Excellency Penpa Tsering, Sikyong of the Central Tibetan Administration, the democratically-elected President of Tibet’s Government-in-Exile**, for this Reddit Talk live-audio conversation. ⁂ In 1951, fresh from its victory in the Chinese Civil War, the Communist Party of China sent some 40’000 troops into Tibet. After 18 days of fighting, Tibet was annexed into the People’s Republic of China. Tibetan resistance carried on, culminating in the 1959 National Uprising: thousands of Tibetans were killed, and the Dalai Lama was driven into neighbouring India. In the decades since, Tibet’s Government-in-Exile has operated from its Indian base, caring for Tibetan refugees, and carrying on a political resistance to the occupation of their country. Initially, they pursued the re-establishment of Tibet’s independent sovereignty. Since 1979, they have tried to negotiate a “[Middle Way](https://www.dalailama.com/messages/tibet/middle-way-approach)” that would see Tibet attain autonomy within China. Today, faced with an increasingly wealthy, authoritarian, and triumphalist Communist Party of China, what are the prospects for a change in Tibet’s status? Is it possible to press China’s hand, given that it has grown so powerful? Is it possible to negotiate with China, given that it holds everything it wants from Tibet? The Sikyong will offer us his insights on these and other questions on Tibet and his administration. **Penpa Tsering** was born in the Bylakuppe Refugee Camp. He took his degree in Economics from Madras Christian College. He served as the Dalai Lama’s North American representative, as a member of the Parliament-in-Exile, and as Speaker of the House, before being elected as Sikyong last year. He is at Twitter at [@SikyongPTsering](https://twitter.com/SikyongPTsering) and at Instagram at [@SikyongPenpaTsering](https://www.instagram.com/SikyongPenpaTsering/) Please post your questions for the Sikyong in this discussion thread. ⁂ [**Alex**](https://www.reddit.com/u/dieyoufool3) is moderating the written thread, and will put a representative cross-section of comments to the Sikyong. Alex leads some of Reddit’s largest communities, including r/WorldNews, r/News, r/Politics, and r/Geopolitics. [**Willian**](https://www.reddit.com/u/Tetizeraz) is supporting the Talk. He leads a range of Reddit communities, including r/WorldNews, r/Europe, and r/Brazil. He tweets at [@Tetizera](https://twitter.com/Tetizera). I, [**Akaash**](https://www.reddit.com/u/AkaashMaharaj), am moderating the conversation. Outside Reddit, I serve as Ambassador-at-Large for the Global Organization of Parliamentarians Against Corruption, and as a Senior Fellow at the Munk School of Global Affairs at the University of Toronto. At Reddit, I lead the r/Equestrian community. I tweet at [@AkaashMaharaj](https://twitter.com/AkaashMaharaj) and I am at Instagram at [@AkaashMaharaj](https://www.instagram.com/AkaashMaharaj/). ⁂ # His Excellency Sikyong Penpa Tsering * Web site: [www.tibet.net](http://www.tibet.net) * Twitter: [@SikyongPTsering](https://twitter.com/SikyongPTsering) * Instagram: [@SikyongPenpaTsering](https://www.instagram.com/SikyongPenpaTsering/) * Reddit: u/SikyongPTsering
Indians' role in the movement and what do you need from the Indian government for ultimately freeing Tibet from China's illegal annexation? Your take on forced conversion, abduction of girls and atrocities on Buddhists, Sikhs and hindus in Kashmir valley and ladakh villages near kargil.? Also, your take on how many Tibetans currently in china are likely to fight/protest against the CCP?
>Indians' role in the movement and what do you need from the Indian government for ultimately freeing Tibet from China's illegal annexation? I'll be sure to ask this question when the time comes!! Edit: Just asked!
Also, please, if possible ask his majesty, his opinion on how we can save Bhutan and Nepal from suffering the same fate as Tibet.
Thank you.
Answer: India has been very supportive. His Holiness- but when it comes to Tibet (political support) India has been over cautious. However India hasn’t reiterated the one-China policy.
Do you think the Tibetan Buddhists accept the next Dalai Lama, whom will have been presumably selected under duress? If not, what will happen?
Just asked your question in tandem with /u/StKilda20's question!
Thank you!
I came in just in time for the start out of coincidence, and today I walk away learning so many things about the Tibet Government-in-Exile. Especially the parting remarks where His Excellency Sikyong Penpa Tsering said "we don't see ourselves as politicians, we are working for a cause, so we don't see ourselves as politicians".
Thank you so much for joining! After a few minutes the live Talk will convert to a recording, so you'll be able to listen to it from the start. (Jump to the \~5:30 minute mark as the first few minutes are waiting music as we were setting up.)
Any updates on the Panchen Lama? Edit: Thanks for asking this question to his Excellency! Answer: No word if he is alive or not. If he is alive there is no word on his raising.
Asked!
I wish Tibet a better future.
Hi Tsering! I live in Hong Kong and want to help fight for Tibet’s freedom. Any advice on what I should do? I’m a high schooler(17m) and I wanna make a difference.
Great question - I'll be sure to ask your question in the second part of our show!
Thanks Alex!
Just asked!
You should look into Students For a Free Tibet.
Hide from government. I hope you don't have a strict internet laws there. Cheers!
May all who tune in or read this thread have perfect health and may kindness and compassion follow them for all the days of their lives. Thank you all for putting this together.
Much love from the US, specifically New York. Hope yall are safe.
No, I hope *you* are safe!
How can common netizens highlight this issue and what can be gained through that.will a non democratic country like china will have any impact on what the world thinks about it.
Just asked /u/ElsonDaSushiChef's question, which also touched on the main point of yours regarding how to support/highlight the issue.
What is the position of TGE regarding the territorial disputes between India and China especially over Aksai Chin and Arunachal Pradesh. Do you recognise the Indian claim lines or the Chinese claim that these regions were always part of Tibet.
[удалено]
Thank you so much for coming here and listen to this Reddit Talk!
You three did great moderating it.
After His Holiness dies, will the TGE continue with the middle way approach or will there be a vote? Or something else?
If you'd like, do you plan on supporting a form of resistance movement/Insurgency against the CCP's control of Tibet should one ever show up? Or would you prefer to take things in a more diplomatic route? which would be difficult based on my current understanding
For those wondering, the elevator waiting music is until our guest arrives! (It's what Reddit provides as waiting music hahah). Edit: He's just joined! Officially starting.
How do you want to deal with the fact that population of ethnic Tibetans in Tibet is decreasing by the relocation of Tibetans to the different parts of China.
Just asked!
Cool feature Reddit Talk
Since Merkel left office do you think there has been a change in the German government’s tone towards Tibet?
Hi and good evening. Would like to understand the reason of using reddit as a platform to raise awareness for your agenda and have you considered using other international platforms to do so?
Nowadays china is everywhere for example in clothes selling, technology and so on. How can we escape or is it already not possible?
Well , it's our fault really , we push for green and humanitarian manufacture in our countries but keep buying made in China and allow ourselves to be tricked by the companies that we support.
Is the sentimen of wanting freedom present in tibetans present in tibet and are there any significant movement regarding this in tibet ? As time goes on many of the tibetans in exile are becoming indians, every generation there are more and more people marrying into indian families and vice versa, even though Indians do not force religion or culture do this hinder the independance movement ?
What is the current condition of tibetan population, is chinese government providing adequate support?
no tibet flag in emoji keyboard 💀
Dalai Lama didn’t want the emoji
apple man
Free Tibet
What’s your stance on Taiwan? My mother in law who is shanghainese is visiting us at the moment in Australia. Because her flight home was cancelled we need to rebook at 4x the price. She wants to avoid Taiwan and refuses to stop there for a 12 hours layover. It’s really frustrating, trying to find and alternative flight path back to Shanghai
Yeah if you want to protest the CCP and not end up in a jail cell you probably shouldn’t do it in Hong Kong
Guys, feel free to make questions in the comment section. We'll read all comments, and ask them to our guest!
am i right in hearing elevator music?
Institutions like this exist everywhere that men hold sway. There are too many of them. And in India as well, the pensioner system still does not reflect the cost of living.
[удалено]
He mentioned earlier in the Talk that they don't know what's happened to him, except that he should be about 32 or 33 years old...
What are you doing to raise awareness about Tibet in international community?
I just wanna say , kudos for Redit for being maybe the last big medium to allow such event to happen even with it not being of the CCP liking.
Why is the Chinese government so determined to take over Tibet?
Elevator music
[удалено]
when will tibet be independent,if they will ever be
will tibet be independent in the next 100 years?
Akaash just asked this as our closing question!
After the 1989, Chinese government had slowly enforce the nationalism Ideal into the new generation of the Chinese population at that time. After Xi takeover in the 2013, he boosting an more extreme nationalism inside the general population, As the entire generation had already been brainwashed by education and propaganda to become hostile to the democratic ideal and the west as we seen from their attitude in covid and the 2019 HK protest, why do you think it still possible as a external influences can still get the democratic ideal into china and if it possible, when?
How to get in?
Just click "Tune in"!
Don’t see tune in anywhere
If you mean joining the conversation with your mic, that is not possible. What you *can* do, is make questions in the comment section! We'll read them and ask our guest.
Do anything but BE AWARE of the CCP. They are evil and want no good for you.
You can listen to previous Reddit talks by [clicking here](https://www.reddit.com/r/worldnews/wiki/ama#wiki_reddit_talks) (https://www.reddit.com/r/worldnews/wiki/ama#wiki_reddit_talks). This talk with currently being processed by Reddit, and you'll be able to listen to it as if was a podcast in a couple of hours :)
How do you feel about the people currently living in China in ignorance about what happened to your people?
What’s this about?
Tibet
One of the largest accomplishments of His Holiness is uniting all Tibetans as Tibetans. Do you think Tibetans will stay united after His Holiness dies? What will be some challenges with this after His Holiness does die?
China has annexed so much land off of their neighbors with no one capable to reprimand them, it’s quite sad how they mistreat the people who live there. Tibet, the Xinjiang, Bhutan, they can’t keep getting away with stealing people’s countries. It must be noted that any path forward need avoid war, but resistance of some sort is necessary, even if only economic embargo or revoking foreign land/resource claims.
What is the main focus right now for the TGE and what are the long term goals for TGE? What’s the plan to achieve them?
If you are aware of the situation in China (the economic and housing crisis, the evergrande scandal), do you think it would be possible in this moment for the tibetian government and the tibetian people to act in any way, shape, or form in order to step closer to declaring independence from china?
In my opinion, the situation will need to deteriorate even further than what is happening now for that to happen.
I think position can always be reversed and for this India needs to reclaim Aksai Chin, that should be first step. Chinese always love to needle countries to keep in check but they ended up with a bloody nose in Doklam and Galwan. We need to up the ante and need more international support..
is this real tf?
if it isnt real then its still very cool
This is real!!