On July 6, 2010 the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs had its regular press conference in Beijing. Mr. Qin Gang was the spokesman on duty that day. Let me just say in general that I learn quite a bit by following remarks by the Chinese Foreign Ministry spokespersons. To be fair to them, most of them are well dressed and presentable and they do a good job of representing the Party line. It is especially interesting...

There is an unsettled debate over whether the Chinese term for crisis, weiji, can be interpreted to indicate that it is composed of two characters meaning “danger” and “opportunity.” Whatever the case, this interpretation is something that can be a motivating force for people when they are down and out. This thought came to me as one week has passed since the tragedy in Yushu Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture....

The devastating earthquake in Yushu Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture on April 14, 2010, whose impacts are still being analyzed as I write, has highlighted the humane aspect of the Tibetan issue. Thanks to modern communication facilities we are able to have a close look at the tragedy and to understand its full impact. Naturally, Tibetans in Tibet have come readily to assist their brethren in Yushu. It is most encouraging...

Yesterday, China Daily, a state-run media outlet, ran a story entitled “US reaffirms commitment to one China policy.” It referred to a March 29 speech by Deputy Secretary of State James Steinberg. (Thanks to my colleague Bhuchung for transcribing the video.) The headline is accurate, as is the reporting of Steinberg’s statement that “we do consider Tibet to be a part of the PRC and do not support...

This blog posting is inspired by delegations of Tibetans, sent by the Chinese Government, that are currently visiting Europe, Australia and New Zealand. One is led by Jampa Phuntsok, the head of the Tibet Autonomous Region’s People’s Congress in Lhasa, while the other is led by Tanzen Lhundup, a scholar at the China Tibetology Research Center in Beijing. As I monitor their trips, I am beginning to mentally...

There they go again. Chinese opinion makers have once more displayed their penchant for offending U.S. leaders while simultaneously revealing a deep ignorance of American society and politics. Last fall they reminded President Barack Obama that he is black and should think accordingly. Now they’ve told Nancy Pelosi she’s a woman and should behave accordingly. Recall that right before Obama visited China...

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...

Radio Free Asia reported today that an underpass being built beneath a main road in central Lhasa has flooded. Excavations for the underpass have apparently disrupted the water table in the vicinity which has led to several nearby trees dying and falling, according to RFA’s sources, and raised fears that the foundations of the Potala Palace itself may be at risk. Surely, there can be few better metaphors for...

Amidst all the bluster and assertiveness coming from the Chinese Foreign Ministry these days, we sometime forget to appreciate their sense of humor. At least the unintentional kind. It has become custom for some state and local officials to declare March 10 as “Tibet Day” to commemorate this important anniversary. This year was no exception, with proclamations or resolutions being approved by the Wisconsin...

I was struck by coincidental statements made last week, from Washington and Beijing, about the question of whether senior Tibetan monks do have, or should have, political roles. In these two cases, the governments of the United States and China are applying contradictory positions on this topic. Perhaps a common and consistent approach could nurture progress on the Tibet issue. Case #1: the Dalai Lama. Before...