China angered by Italian award for Dalai Lama

China on Tuesday expressed its anger at an Italian award for exiled Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama and warned of unspecified consequences in relations, according to a media report.

The Nobel Peace Prize winning Tibetan leader was made an honorary citizen of Rome on Monday for “his international efforts to find a peaceful solution for Tibet and for having affirmed the principles of human rights and peaceful conflict-resolution between nations."

Beijing abruptly cancelled a China-EU summit last year, angry over French President Nicolas Sarkozy's meeting with the Dalai Lama."This seriously hurts the feelings of the Chinese people," Reuters reported Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Jiang Yu as saying at a regular news briefing. "We express our strong dissatisfaction and opposition,” she added."We hope Italy pays attention to China's deep concerns and takes immediate, effective measures to remove the negative impact and maintain the healthy, stable development of bilateral ties," Jian said, without saying what steps Italy should take, Reuters reported.

China routinely brands the Dalai Lama as a "splittist", or separatist, seeking separation cession of Tibet from “mainland” China. The Dalai Lama denies the charge, saying he is only seeking greater autonomy, not outright independence for the Himalayan region."Tibet is an inseparable part of China. The Tibet issue is a purely internal one," Jiang reportedly said."He is not a simple religious figure," she added, referring to the Dalai Lama. "He wears a religious signboard, and has for a long time been a political exile engaging in splittist political activities.

"In making the Tibetan leader an honorary citizen of Rome, Mayor Gianni Alemanno said: "We stand by you and strongly demand the full recognition of the autonomy of the Tibetan nation."Rome is not alone in honouring the Dalai Lama during his four-day tour of Europe, which began Sunday. After attending the ceremony at the Rome city hall, Dalai Lama on Monday left for the Italian city of Venice, which will also bestow him with its honorary Citizenship.

On Tuesday, the Nobel peace laureate will be bestowed with the Deutsche Medienpreis (the German Media Prize) in Baden-Baden, for representing "the non-violent struggle for the rights of the Tibetan people."Relations between China and Germany also hit a low after German Chancellor Angela Merkel met with the Tibetan leader at the Chancellery in 2007. It took months for China to forgive Merkel.

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7 monks arrested, abbot missing in Chamdo

Seven monks of Den Choekhor monastery in Jomda county, Chamdo prefecture, were arrested on January 24 and are currently held at Jomda county detention center, a monk of Drepung monastery in India with contacts in the area told phayul.

The seven monks are Chant leader Nima Tsering, disciplinarian Lhundup, Nyichey, Tsering Palden, Ngawang Tashi, Tado and Tashi Dawa. The abbot of the monastery, Tenzin Gyalsten, has also gone missing. Tenzin studied from 1995 to 2003 at Drepung Loseling monastery in south India. He returned to Tibet and taught dialectics at Denchoekhor monastery before being appointed the abbot in November 2008.

Around 300 people including monks of Den Choekhor monastery in Jomda County took part in a protest demonstration at the government administrative office on January 10, 2009. The source told phayul that the protest was carried out to stop the local authorities from taking a Tibetan dance troupe to Lhasa to participate in the celebration of the “Serf Emancipation day” on March 28.

“It is a deliberate attempt to humiliate the Tibetans who are not completely recovered from last year’s military crackdown. The Chinese are intentionally hurting the Tibetan people’s sentiments.”The same source said two explosions had occurred near the government administrative building in Choekhor Township on January 5, 2009 causing heavy damage to property but no casualties were reported.

The authorities investigating into the matter have not been able to arrest anyone in connection with the explosions. According to the source, there has been strong military presence in the area beginning January 12 and heavy restrictions have been placed on the movement of Tibetans.

“The authorities, who accused monks of Den Choekhor monastery of the explosion of January 5, forcefully took several monks to the local government office for interrogation, and asked the monks to sign a document that, among others, renounced His Holiness the Dalai Lama. No one, however, signed the document.”

On January 16, a senior chant leader Gen Jamshey of Den Choekhor monastery was detained, the source said. “Fearing public agitation, the authorities told them Gen. Jamshey had to attend a meeting in Jomda County. The authorities then took him to Dege county where he was put in another vehicle and driven away.”

It is not known where Gen Jamshey is currently held. The dance troupe refused to travel to Lhasa but was forced off on January 15. Some members of the troupe, says our source, fled on the night of January 14. Two monks, Tsetan Sonam and Choekyong, were beaten up severely, the source said.

Names of people and places have been spelled as they are pronounced in Tibetan, and may not be correct

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Kashag to Mark Tibetan New Year with Only Religious Programmes

The Central Tibetan Administration announced Saturday that only the customary religious programmes will held to mark theTibetan New Year, taking into consideration of the continuing repression in Tibet and the ruthless crackdown last year which resulted in the deaths of hundreds of Tibetans and thousands imprisoned.

The Kashag has appealed to all the concerned departments and offices of the administration not to organise any lavish and pompous celebrations such as hosting feasts, dance parties and lighting firecrackers.

Similarly, the Kashag also directs all the officials of the administration to refrain from taking part in such gatherings.

The direction has been given to all the staff working in Tibetan settlements, offices of Tibet, schools and healthcare centres.

Last year in March, the Tibetan people across the traditional provinces of Tibet expressed their deep-seated resentment against the wrong policies of the Chinese government in Tibet. Subsequent brutal crackdown by the Chinese military left more than 219 Tibetans dead and 1294 injured.

Around 5,600 people are still underarrest or detention and more than 1000 missing.

6 Tibetans Sentenced in Kardze

Reports have emerged of 6 Tibetans having been sentenced recently to various prison terms in connection with last year’s nationwide protests.

According to the Trehor Association based here, Loongloong Sonam from Thamey village of Kardze was sentenced to three years’ imprisonment for his role in the protests at Kardze County on May 17, 2008.

Three nuns of Yarteng nunnery, Poewang; 27, Yangzom; 31, and Lhamo; 29, who had protested on June 18 last year in Kardze, have been sentenced around January 15 to two and a half years in prison.

The three are said to be held currently at a prison near Chengdu. In yet another incident of sentencing, Ngawang Phuntsok; 32, was sentenced to three years’ imprisonment for participating in the protest on June 18.

He was detained for six months at county jail in Kardze before the verdict, and currently believed to be held at a prison 70 Kilometres away from Chengdu.

A 28-year-old nun named Yankey of Drakkar nunnery has been sentenced to one year and nine months in jail. She, along with other nuns of the nunnery, has participated in a protest in Kardze on May 17 last year. The verdicts, sources say, were passed by the Kardze Intermediate People’s Court.

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Tibetan demonstrators protest against the visit of the Chinese Prime Minister Wen Jiabao on January 30, 2009 in front of European headquarters in Brussels.

It is the first European trip by a senior Chinese official since Beijing postponed a summit with the EU in December to protest French President Nicolas Sarkozy's decision to meet the Dalai Lama, Tibet's exiled spiritual leader. (AFP/Getty Images)

Chinese PM greeted by protesters

Several people vaulted barriers as he arrived outside the Chinese Embassy in London amid a noisy demonstration.

Supporters had greeted Mr Wen with dragon dancers and firecrackers as he visited as part of his UK tour.The Chinese Prime Minister had earlier met Tory leader David Cameron and shadow foreign secretary William Hague.

The focus of the meeting had been on the global financial downturn, with the UK and China both keen to boost their economic ties. But Mr Hague had said the talks would not gloss over China's human rights record, adding: "We always in our meetings with Chinese leaders raise issues of human rights and Tibet."

After the meeting, Mr Wen travelled to the Chinese Embassy where a group of around 100 were chanting pro-Tibetan slogans.From behind barriers, they brandished placards reading "Stop Killing in Tibet" and posters featuring Mr Wen underneath a "Wanted" sign.BBC correspondent Barnie Choudhury said Mr Wen took no notice of the protest as he made his way into the building."

A dozen or so protesters vaulted over the barriers and made their way across the road," he said."Police decided they had to go in and began trying to hold the protesters back as they tried to breach the barriers." Officers were filmed taking several people away in handcuffs, although our correspondent said they were later allowed to rejoin the protesting crowd.

The Metropolitan Police confirmed five men had been arrested on suspicion of breach of the peace.One protester told the BBC: "We are here to support our people in Tibet.

In recent months, thousands of Tibetan people have been killed and imprisoned."Tibetan Ugyan Norbu, who has lived in Britain for 30 years, said: "Tibet is caged and has been for 50 years. Tibetan people cannot go in or out. They live in terror of the Chinese authorities."We have to come here and demonstrate."

Mr Wen's European tour, which includes three days in Britain, takes in Germany and Spain.He has also visited the EU headquarters in Brussels and the World Economic Forum in Davos.He will also make a speech at the University of Cambridge, the Chinese Foreign Ministry said.

'Troubled times'BBC News correspondent Jill McGivering said Mr Wen is expected to promote China's economic prospects and push for more investment from the UK.

She said: "These are troubled times - and Britain and China are sticking together."Gordon Brown sees China as a powerful ally as he presses for reform of international financial bodies."And China's economy - expected to grow at about 7% this year - is very attractive to British investors."She added that Mr Wen would be seeking reassurance that the UK will join China's fight against global protectionism.

This is when governments restrict import quotas in a bid to protect domestic industries from global competition - but China says this is damaging to its export trade.The visit follows an announcement earlier this month by Foreign Secretary David Miliband that improving relations with China is to be a "major priority" for the UK in the years ahead.

'Candid'In a 20-page framework document Mr Miliband said the UK will be "candid" when it disagrees with China, but will build a relationship based on co-operationHe also stressed the importance of economic ties between the two countries and emphasised China's growing role in international affairs.

The document represents a sort of stock-taking of ties between London and Beijing and sets out aspirations for the way in which Sino-UK ties should develop over the next four years.Mr Wen has snubbed France during his European tour, reportedly because of a meeting between President Nicolas Sarkozy and the Dalai Lama late last year.China reacted at the time by cancelling a scheduled summit with the EU.

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Two monks arrested in Tsawa Pashoe

Two Tibetan monks from Tsawa Pashoe Mera monastery in Chamdo prefecture of the Tibet Autonomous Regionhave been arrested by Chinese authorities on the evening of January 29, Voice of Tibet radio service reported citing sources with contacts in the area.

Tenzin Choephel, 16, and Lobsang Gyaltsen, 20, protested in front of the Pashoe county administrative office on Thursday evening, a monk of Sera monastery in south India told VOT.

The two monks chanted slogans like “independence for Tibet” and “wake up Tibetan brothers and sisters”. The source also said that Anam, the head of monastery, has also been reportedly detained.

“The situation in Tsawa Pashoe County is very tense, and there appears to be a strong restriction on the movement of people in the area.”It is, however, not known where the monks have been held currently. The source says they might have been taken to the county prison. “It is difficult to attain a detailed information on happenings there as everything is being monitored by the authorities.”

As the Tibetans all over pledge to skip the Tibetan New Year in mourning of the victims of last year's March unrest in Tibet, Chinese authorities are said to be deliberately encouraging Tibetans to celebrate the coming Tibetan New Year with pomp and festivity, in some cases even giving out gifts and special presents to encourage celebrations.

Earlier in Tsawa Dzogang, a Tibetan youth named Pema Tsepak died after succumbing to injuries sustained during beatings and torture. Pema was among seven Tibetans arrested this month in two separate incidents of protests in Tsawa Dzogang. Three were later released. They were calling for boycott of the Tibetan New Year, independence for Tibet, and return of the Dalai Lama.

China is gearing up its security in the restive Tibetan plateau ahead of the region’s most politically sensitive anniversaries in years, with state media saying at least 81 people have been detained just last week in the Tibetan capital under "Strike Hard" campaign.

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Tibetans Report Kardze Shooting

A protest by Tibetan monks in China’s Sichuan province was crushed by police on Tuesday amid reports of gunfire and detentions, according to Tibetan sources.

The demonstration was the latest in a series of protests by Tibetans reported in the Kardze [in Chinese, Ganzi] Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture since widespread protests against Chinese rule swept Tibet and Tibetan areas of China beginning in March.

“It appears that five monks staged a protest near a monastery in Derge [in Chinese, Dege] county and were calling for Tibetan independence,” Jampa Monlam, assistant director of the India-based Tibetan Center for Human Rights and Democracy (TCHRD) said, citing reports from the region.

“According to witnesses, there were a lot of armed police in the area at the time. The monks were immediately detained,” he said.“Witnesses reported hearing gunshots at the time,” he added.

Sonam Dagpo, general secretary for international relations for the India-based Tibetan government-in-exile, confirmed the shooting had taken place near Gonchen monastery in Derge.“There was gunfire,” he said. “But we don’t know any details about injuries or how many were detained.”

An officer at the Derge County Public Security Bureau referred questions to the head of the county government.“If the head of the county government says this happened, then it happened,” he said. “If he says it didn’t happen, then it didn’t.”‘No problems’

An employee who answered the phone at the township government office would not confirm or deny the incident had occurred.“[The foreign media] are sure to be stirring up trouble and muddying the waters,” she said. “We have a good government here. There aren’t any problems. Who was protesting? We didn’t see it.”

Asked if the incident had taken place, a Tibetan resident of the town first said “Yes,” then added “I don’t know.” Another resident was unwilling to respond to enquiries.

Meanwhile, protests against Chinese rule were reported in Serthar [in Chinese, Seda] county, also in Sichuan.“On Jan. 27 and 28, posters calling for Tibetan independence were posted on county buildings in Serthar,” Serthar Tsultrim, a member of the Tibetan exile parliament and native of Serthar, said.“Chinese flags were hauled down in the nearby towns of Khekor and Nyitoe on those same days,” he said.

Sichuan’s Kardze [in Chinese, Ganzi] Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture has seen repeated protests against Chinese policies in the region, which include requiring Tibetans to renounce Tibet’s exiled spiritual leader the Dalai Lama. Portraits and media recordings of the exiled leader are banned.

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TYC declares 2009 a “Black Year” for Tibet

The largest pro-independence group in the exile Tibetan community today sent a radical signal to Tibetans worldwide to forgo this year’s Losar (Tibetan New Year) celebrations and to observe 2009 as a “Black Year” to stand in solidarity with fellow brethrens in Tibet.

Tibetan Youth Congress today announced that it will instead organize a series of protest and signature campaigns during and around Losar time to highlight China’s “illegal occupation of Tibet” and the plight of Tibetan people under its decades of repressive rule.

“To recognize and honor the sacrifices of our martyrs and to express our solidarity with the brave men and women of Tibet who continue to withstand unimaginable hardships to uphold the sovereignty of our nation, the identity of our people and for the truth to prevail, TYC declares that it will not celebrate the Tibetan New Year,” organization president Tsewang Rigzin said at a press conference here today.

For Tibetans, Losar is the most auspicious and special occasion for mass celebration in a year. The celebrations usually last no less than three days.“As the 2009 also marks 60 years of China’s invasion and 50 years of occupation of Tibet, TYC declares the year 2009 as black year,” Tsewang added.China sent military troops to occupy Tibet in late 1949. An abortive uprising by Tibetans in capital Lhasa in 1959 forced their leader the Dalai Lama and hundreds of Tibetans to flee into exile for the first time in their long history.

Several other Tibetan NGOs have also signed calls to skip this year’s Losar, first time that such an unprecedented move has been made in the course of their freedom struggle. The move has been largely sparked off by initial calls from inside Tibet to skip celebrations this year in response to last year’s deadly military crackdown on Tibetan unrest, which observers say has resulted in deaths and detention, and numerous cases of enforced and involuntary disappearance of Tibetans across Tibet.

However, inside Tibet, Chinese authorities are said to be deliberately encouraging Tibetans to celebrate the New Year with pomp and festivity, in some cases even giving out gifts and special presents to encourage celebrations.This year, Losar (2136 Earth Ox Year) falls on 25th February, just over two weeks before the 50th commemoration of the March 10th Tibetan National Uprising of 1959.

March 10 will also mark one year since protests by Tibetan monks in Lhasa last year erupted into biggest protests among Tibetans in decades. The pro-independence youth organization today announced that its members under its worldwide regional chapters will take part in hunger strikes, peace rallies and prayer vigils to observe the forthcoming New Year.

The organization president also said its members will throw two huge effigies of Mao Zedong, the founder of Communist China, and Current Chinese President Hu Jintao, both of whom are despised by Tibetans for their repressive measures in Tibet, on the 29th day of the 12th month, a day before Tibetan New Year eve, when Tibetans participate in a religious ceremony to exorcise evil spirits from the previous year.

For Tibetans year end is also of special significance and they set-off a fierce demon effigy on fireworks to drive away personal obstacles and to avoid misfortunes. The organization also urged all Tibetans to do the same as a symbolic protest.

China has been preparing for the possibility of more unrest in Tibet this year. Chinese authorities have already begun a security sweep in Tibet ahead of the region’s most sensitive anniversary in years, with state media saying at least 81 people have been detained.

The Public Security Bureau of Lhasa began a “strike hard” campaign against crime on Jan. 18, with raids on residential areas, Internet cafes, bars and rented rooms, the state-run Tibetan Daily said in a Sunday report posted on the China Tibet News, a state news Web portal. Among them were two people who had “reactionary music” on their cellphones, the report said.

The operation, announced as part of a campaign against crime, is seen by Tibet independence advocates as a move aimed at intimidating Tibetans ahead of the 50th anniversary of the failed uprising that forced the Dalai Lama, their spiritual leader, and hundreds of fellow Tibetans to flee into exile.“Yet in these most difficult times our brethrens have steadfastly upheld the truth of our history in its most pristine form and committed in securing the future of our nation by standing firm in our rightful fight for independence,” Tsewang said. At the press conference, Tsewang reiterated TYC’s call on China to “end the illegal occupation of Tibet and to immediately release all the political prisoners of Tibet languishing in Chinese gulags”.“

TYC also appeals to the world community at large, the UN, EU, respective governments and individuals to lend their invaluable support so as to bring forth constructive developments in the Tibetan struggle,” Tsewang said.The Tibetan Youth Congress, which claims some 30,000 active members under its worldwide regional chapters, does not support the Dalai Lama’s Middle-Way policy that seeks “real and meaningful autonomy” instead of outright independence for Tibet.

China has lately tried to denounce the Tibetan pro-independence group by condemning it as a "violent terrorist" outfit and equating it with Al-Qaeda.The youth organisation rubbishes the allegations as “baseless” and “unfounded” saying it is a non-governmental organization seeking to restore Tibet’s once independent status with "non-violence and peace" as its core founding principles.

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