Davey meets Dalai Lama

27th May 2008

China must work with this amazing leader

Last Thursday [22nd May] Kingston and Surbiton's MP and the Liberal Democrats' Foreign Affairs Spokesman, Edward Davey, met His Holiness, the Dalai Lama, with the Liberal Democrat Leader, Nick Clegg, for a private briefing in the House of Commons.

The Dalai Lama was in London following a longstanding invitation from Britain's Tibet Society, but his visit was given extra significance after the riots in Tibet, and especially the capital Lhasa, this March. Tibet is governed by China but many Tibetans support greater autonomy or independence for their country.

Commenting after the meeting, Edward said:

"It was a huge privilege and immensely exciting to meet him. His spirituality and wisdom shone through our discussions and even when dealing with Tibet's great problems and after a punishing schedule of meetings, he showed an amazing calmness and sense of humour.

"He joked that the Chinese called him a devil, but noted that he had no horns and that as a Buddhist believing in reincarnation he expected to outlive the Chinese Communist Party.

"More seriously, the Dalai Lama explained to us the latest situation on his talks with China, and expressed his fear that the Chinese Government was going through the motions prior to the Beijing Olympics, but would withdraw again after the Games. He focused on the need for better acess to Lhasa and the rest of Tibet, so the world could have a better idea of what was happening, and he called for the people detained by the Chinese to be fairly treated.

"I asked the Dalai Lama about the significance of water in the relationship between China and Tibet, as Tibet's mountains provide China with much of its fresh water, and this was clearly a concern close to own heart.

"It's clear that China would be wise to see an agreement during the lifetime of this Dalai Lama as he has shown great leadership with his "Middle Way" policies of non-violence and Tibetan autonomy, as against the alternatives of an armed conflict and outright independence. Once this Dalai Lama has passed on, his successor may not be able to control those Tibetans who want to fight for freedom from China. China must work with this amazing Leader."