Reportage – 2008

Dalai Lama's envoys arrive in China for talks

A file photo of the envoys of the Dalai Lama during a press conference after informal talks with the Chinese leaders following the unrest in Tibet in March. [ click here for print size   3.1M ]

DHARAMSHALA, India, 30 June 2008 — The Dalai Lama's Special Envoy Lodi Gyaltsen Gyari and Envoy Kelsang Gyaltsen will arrive in China today for the formal seventh round of discussions with the representatives of the Chinese leadership, according to a press statement released by the Secretary of the Dalai Lama.

The discussions will take place from 1st to 2nd July in Beijing. "This meeting is taking place at a crucial time," says Chhime R. Chhoekyapa, the Secretary of the Dalai Lama.

At an informal meeting on 4 May, following unrest in Tibet in March, the envoys of the Dalai Lama and the representatives of the Chinese leadership in Shenzhen, China, agreed to continue the dialogue process started in 2002 and to hold the formal seventh round of discussions at an early and mutually convenient date.

The Dalai Lama has instructed the envoys to make every effort to bring about tangible progress to alleviate the difficult situation for Tibetans in their homeland.

"It is hoped that this round of talks will contribute in resolving the long simmering issue through dialogue in the interest of stability, unity and harmony of all nationalities in the People's Republic of China," says the statement.

They will be accompanied by senior assistants Sonam N. Dagpo, Bhuchung K. Tsering, both members of Tibetan Task Force on Sino-Tibetan Negotiations, and Jigmey Passang from the Secretariat of the Tibetan Task Force.