Is the Dalai Lama becoming less relevant worldwide?
I am beginning to enjoy reading the “news” that various organs of the Chinese official media are putting out these days on issues relating to Tibet. In the past, as much as I disagreed with the Chinese propaganda, I had some sort of respect for them. The reports were no doubt drab, boring, didactic, long and full of clichés. During the pre-electronic media days even the layout of the printed versions were unattractive (the Tibet Daily in Tibetan continues to be drab even now). But at the same time the contents were serious and really revealed an ideological basis, irrespective of whether that ideology was sound or not.
Now thanks to an increased propaganda budget and help from some Western professionals, Chinese propaganda has become slick. The formulation has become less stereotypical and the appearance is attractive. Alas, the contents have become sensational and out of this world and, to use one of their own formulation, are becoming “a laughing stock of the world.”
A case in point is one of their outputs for today, March 18, 2010, headlined, “The Dalai Lama becoming less relevant worldwide” in the People’s Daily. Through a combination of a stretch of the imagination, disinformation and misinterpretation the article leads to the conclusion that His Holiness the Dalai Lama is “gradually losing his popularity among Western media groups.” If we look at the only evidence that the article uses to support this contention, you can understand why I feel the Chinese media’s approach to the Tibetan issue is becoming “a laughing stock of the world.”
The article says that during the March 14 press conference by Premier Wen Jiabao there was no question about the Dalai Lama. It says, “…foreign media groups unexpectedly focused on the trend of China’s economy and China’s international responsibilities, overlooking other issues concerning the Dalai Lama.” What an evidence to say that the Dalai Lama is becoming irrelevant!
I have no doubt that the Chinese leadership and the media people are aware of the schedule of His Holiness the Dalai Lama that is on his office’s website. They should also be aware of the World Tibet Network News, a daily electronic newsletter that compiles international news reports on Tibet. A cursory look at these shows that rather than decreasing popularity, invitations from different parts of the world to the Dalai Lama have increased, and that on a daily basis at least half a dozen international media outlets have a reference to Tibet and the Dalai Lama, almost all of them positive. As I write this, His Holiness is travelling within India and is about to leave for yet another trip to Europe.
But I think the Chinese leadership knows that international interest in the Dalai Lama is increasing. Unfortunately, they are not able to take this. How can this simple Buddhist monk, who does not spend a penny on public relations, gain such international stature and reverence while China has to spend a great deal of money and use political pressures to gain positive publicity? China faces this quandary whether it is in the United States or Nepal. Therefore, articles like the one cited above are aimed at vilifying the Dalai Lama and bringing down his international image.
This article shows another technique that the Chinese side is using, namely sensationalistic exaggeration. It begins with a reference to the Dalai Lama’s statement on the 51st anniversary of the Tibetan National Uprising and accuses the Dalai Lama of voicing support to the “East Turkistan Independence Movement.” In order to give this a sinister spin the People’s Daily has intentionally put the first initials in upper cases to make it appear that the Dalai Lama is in collusion with a much maligned Uighur group accused of violence. But what the Dalai Lama actually said in his statement is this, “Let us also remember the people of East Turkestan who have experienced great difficulties and increased oppression and the Chinese intellectuals campaigning for greater freedom who have received severe sentences. I would like to express my solidarity and stand firmly with them.” What the Dalai Lama said is nothing more than what the international community knows about the situation of the Uighur people, many of whom continue to face persecution. However, since the Chinese side cannot deny the human rights violations they have to indulge in sensationalism by turning the Dalai Lama’s solidarity with the oppressed Uighurs into a support for East Turkestan independence. Is this not a stretch of the imagination?
While on the Uighurs, the Chinese authorities have made a great deal about the use of the term “East Turkestan” instead of “Xinjiang.” Every Chinese knows that Xinjiang is the Chinese name for East Turkestan just as “Tibet” is loosely known as “Xizang” to the Chinese. The Uighurs prefer their own name and there is nothing more to it. Tibetans use the two terms Shar Turkestan (East Turkestan) and Xinjiang interchangeably as would be evident if the People’s Daily writer indeed listened to the Dalai Lama’s reading of his March 10 statement in Tibetan. But seeking truth is not in China’s interest.
While on the March 10 statement, instead of looking at the political message of reconciliation and reiteration of a commitment to a solution within the PRC, which is the main message, the Chinese authorities have taken pains to only challenge assertions about conditions in Tibet. Even as they claimed that the situation for Tibetans in Tibet was normal, we were getting news reports about a heavy clampdown and extra security in Tibetan areas. I guess to the Chinese, military control and interference in the Tibetan people’s private religious lives is a normal thing.
The article’s ending is what makes it a laughing stock and is an indication of this childish attitude towards issues by the Chinese media. We have seen Chinese officials’ vehement objections to the international community’s recognition of the Dalai Lama as a pre-eminent spiritual leader, insisting that he is not just a religious leader but also a political leader. The article now lauds the fact that he is not being called a “political leader” by Western government leaders.
I have a feeling that the much-hated philosophy used by a German regime of the past of “If you repeat a lie often enough, people will believe it” is very much being kept alive by the Chinese official media.
IMAGE: The cover of a recent edition of the Party mouthpiece, the People’s Daily.
7 Responses to “Is the Dalai Lama becoming less relevant worldwide?”
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The Chinese gov only continues to hurt their credibility with such ludicrous statements. Our HHDL is a much more credible witness for truth… A simple monk who lives his powerful religion of kindness and speaks honestly and openly with love for all sentient beings.
Pax, b
Truth and compassion-can we imagine these qualities of His Holiness becoming irrelevant?-of course they are a threat to any regime that scorns exactly these qualities.
This too shall pass.
Chinese Gov. can say what they like, Just like charcoal calling the tea kettle BLACK. Until such a time as the Chinese Gov. take a look into their own mirror, they will always find something to say about everyone that does not agree with them.
His Holiness is what he is & will always remain that way, irrespective of what Chinese Gov. think to the world.
We respect him, cherish him, will always be there by his side.
thanks.
Regardless if Chinese propaganda efforts are becoming slicker and those misinformation campaigns are effective in changing people’s minds that HHDL has less influence in the world today, the Chinese have an ultrapopular leader with which to deal with.
His Holiness’ tireless influence on the part of the Tibetan people along with his characterization as a proponent of nonviolence and basic human rights make him the ultimate white, ethical foe.
The Chinese have an ever slimmer chance of winning over the Tibetans and other influential world leaders from Nganwang Lozang Tenzin Gyatso,His Holiness the XIVth Dalai Lama.
They should save face and strike some type of compromise when they still have the chance.
Sincerely,
Lobsang Tengyie
The continuation of Chinese lies concerning the Tibetan case has been recognized all over the world and causes my suspicion with regard to China’s intention to respect human rights.
china will pay for its crimes
its out of my hands now