HK group to push for Tibetan culture and autonomy

HK group to push for Tibetan culture and autonomy


By Matthew Lee
24 Aug 2009
Kyodo News


A better understanding between Tibetans and Han Chinese in Hong Kong and mainland China is necessary for achieving a harmonious society and cultural exchange is the key, a democracy activist who met with the Dalai Lama said Monday.


James Lung, head of Southern Democratic Alliance, an advocate group that champions the wellbeing of minorities, told Kyodo News he is planning to set up a group that promotes the understanding of Tibetan culture and support autonomy for them in China.


`Hong Kong has quite some Tibetan Buddhist religious followers, which facilitates a right condition for further understanding of Tibetan culture.’ Lung said. `Only by understanding each other can a harmonious society be achieved.’


Tibet came under the spotlight after anti-Chinese riots exploded in March last year in the restive western region of China, leaving at least 22 people dead and 76 people in prison.


Pro-independence Tibetan groups have said at least 200 people, including monks, were killed and hundreds remain in prison or captivity.


Support for Tibetan independence or autonomy is rare in Hong Kong, except for a few protesters who occasionally unveil the Tibetan Snow Lion flag and called for more freedom in Tibet.


`We prefer a mild approach. Through cultural exchanges, we hope to eliminate misunderstanding.’ Lung said.


In March this year, Lung led a group of 30 people, including 10 from Hong Kong, to a meeting with the Dalai Lama in Dharamsala, India.


They talked in private for an hour and later met with the Tibetan Youth Congress, which is considered a radical group looking for independence.


`We agreed with the Dalai Lama that Tibet can endorse an autonomous political system like the `one country, two systems’ principle that has been running fine in Hong Kong.’ Lung said. `But that’s our baseline. We do not support Tibet independence.’


Beijing considers that Dalai Lama a political exile who is capable of `misleading’ leaders of other countries into supporting his `splittist’ intentions.


Lung said that he has not sensed pressure from the Hong Kong government or Beijing, probably because he has not sent their society constitution to the relevant authorities.


He plans to do that after Oct 1 to avoid stirring up controversy before China’s 60th National Day anniversary.


Lung said he will submit an application for society registration to gain a sense of legitimacy for the association before the Chinese New Year.


`In the meantime, we will keep lobbying Tibetans in Hong Kong who are interested to join the group as members to also become directors who run the group, instead of having a mainly Chinese-run Tibetan association that will be less meaningful.’ He said.


`These so-called friendship associations can infiltrate social and religious groups under the guise of cultural activities, and mobilize them to support the Dalai Lama’s intentions.’ The official said.