Sikyong Penpa Tsering recently visited Paris to attend the Legion of Honour ceremony honoring former French senator Andre Gattolin, a close friend of Tibet. During the event, Sikyong presented an autographed photo of His Holiness the Dalai Lama and President Emmanuel Macron to the French President. Prior to his Paris visit, Sikyong also engaged with members of the Swiss Parliament in Bern, discussing pivotal issues concerning Tibet and China.
In Switzerland, Sikyong Penpa Tsering met with the Parliamentary Group for Tibet, emphasizing the role of Tibetans, Uyghurs, Hong Kongers, and Taiwanese as agents of change within China. He highlighted the importance of both internal and external forces to bring positive change in China, stressing the need for parliamentary initiatives to address the situation in Tibet. As global interest grows in reevaluating China policies, Sikyong urged Switzerland to adopt a more pragmatic approach in bilateral relations with China.
During the meeting with Swiss Parliamentarians, discussions revolved around historical contexts, revisiting past stances, and the significance of Tibet’s status within the Middle Way Policy. MP Maya Graf echoed the call for a paradigm shift, emphasizing the need for a thorough reassessment of Switzerland’s approach to China. The discussions culminated in a luncheon held in honor of Sikyong’s visit, attended by prominent members of the Parliament and supporters of Tibet.
Sikyong Penpa Tsering expressed gratitude to Rene Longet, the Co-founder of the Parliamentary Group for Tibet, for his longstanding support and instrumental role in the establishment of the Swiss parliamentary group for Tibet. Accompanying Sikyong Tsering were various representatives from different organizations, including the Tibet Bureau Geneva, Gesellschaft Schweizerisch-Tibetische Freundschaft (GSTF), and Tibet Community Switzerland and Liechtenstein. The visit also included media interactions with local Swiss press to further amplify the discussions on Tibet and China.