INDIA: Exiled Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama hopes for a new era of reconciliation and peace with the Chinese President Xi Jinping

Record ID: 1375252

  • Title: INDIA: Exiled Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama hopes for a new era of reconciliation and peace with the Chinese President Xi Jinping
  • Date: 29th March 2013
  • Summary: SALUGARA, WEST BENGAL, INDIA (MARCH 29, 2013) (ORIGINALLY 4:3) (ANI-NO ACCESS BBC) PEOPLE IN THE AUDIENCE SEATED IN FRONT OF THE STAGE TIBETAN SPIRITUAL LEADER, DALAI LAMA, SEATED ON THE STAGE TWO WOMEN SEATED IN THE AUDIENCE A GROUP OF TIBETAN BUDDHIST MONKS SEATED IN THE AUDIENCE PEOPLE SEATED IN THE AUDIENCE DALAI LAMA ADDRESSING THE AUDIENCE VARIOUS OF PEOPLE SEATED (SOUNDBITE) (English) TIBETAN SPIRITUAL LEADER, DALAI LAMA, SAYING: "Again, you see, last 10 years, there has been much change. And also, you see, Chinese conduct with outside world also has increased because of economic power. So therefore the new reality, year by year, some new reality (is) coming. So the leadership has to act according (to) new reality. So therefore I think overall I am optimistic. Things are changing. But it is not for practical or realistic, something or big change come immediately. That is I think unrealistic." AUDIENCE SEATED DALAI LAMA SEATED ON THE STAGE AND ADDRESSING THE AUDIENCE MORE OF PEOPLE SEATED (SOUNDBITE) (English) TIBETAN SPIRITUAL LEADER, DALAI LAMA, SAYING: "Over 60 years, if you study carefully, there is much change. This change is the Chinese's only interest. So over one billion... (a) 1.3 billion population, the most populated nation, an economic power and also it is growing. So I think China can take significant constructive role on the planet. So in order to carry (the) constructive role more effectively, trust and respect from the rest of the world is very, very essential. For that reason, transparency is very, very crucial factor. Closed society is very harmful." MORE OF PEOPLE IN THE AUDIECNE DALAI LAMA ON THE STAGE WITH TWO OTHER MONKS VARIOUS OF PEOPLE IN THE AUDIENCE BUDDHIST MONKS SEATED IN THE AUDIENCE A BUDDHIST MONK STANDING WITH FOLDED HANDS PEOPLE SEATED IN THE AUDIENCE
  • Embargoed: 13th April 2013 20:33
  • Keywords:
  • Location: India
  • Country: India
  • Topics: International Relations,Religion
  • Reuters ID: LVA4L777377N22NW3HR1DF96L4YT
  • Aspect Ratio: 4:3
  • Story Text: Exiled Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama hoped for a new era of reconciliation and peace with the Chinese President Xi Jinping.
    While talking to reporters in eastern West Bengal state's Salugara town on Friday (March 29), the Dalai Lama said that the newly elected Chinese President Jinping represents a positive change.
    The Dalai Lama, who was in Salugara to give a three day long sermon to the locals, said that he was optimistic of the new leadership and his dealings with the international community.

    "The last 10 years, there has been much change," Dalia Lama told reporters. "And also, you see, Chinese conduct with outside world also has increased because of economic power. So therefore the new reality, year by year, some new reality (is) coming.

    "So the leadership has to act according (to) new reality. So therefore I think overall I am optimistic. Things are changing. But it is not for practical or realistic, something or big change come immediately. That is I think unrealistic."
    Recently, Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh had met Jinping on the sidelines of the BRICS Summit in South Africa, where they had discussed about certain issues concerning both the countries.
    Dalai Lama added that China can take a significant constructive role in dealing with global affairs.

    "Over 60 years, if you study carefully, there is much change," he said. "This change is the Chinese's only interest. (With a) 1.3 billion population, the most populated nation, an economic power and also it is growing.

    "So I think China can take significant constructive role on the planet. So in order to carry (the) constructive role more effectively, trust and respect from the rest of the world is very, very essential. For that reason, transparency is very, very crucial factor. Closed society is very harmful."
    More than 100 Tibetans have set themselves alight in protest against Chinese rule since 2009, mostly in heavily Tibetan areas of Sichuan, Gansu and Qinghai provinces rather than in what China terms the Tibet Autonomous Region. Most have died.
    Beijing considers the Dalai Lama, who fled from China in 1959 after an abortive uprising against Chinese rule, a violent separatist. The Dalai Lama says he is merely seeking greater autonomy for his Himalayan homeland.
    The Dalai Lama has called on China to investigate the self-immolations. The Tibetan spiritual leader said he did not encourage the self-immolations but called them 'understandable'.
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