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On the decision by central government to have contact and discussions with the Dalai Lama
by Bao Tong
In the face of a major social upheaval, there are generally two roads to take. One is dialogue, and the other is opposition. Dialogue can lead to reconciliation, whereas opposition inevitably results in an exacerbation of the conflict. Whichever path we take depends on the ultimate aims of those making the decisions.
Since the Lhasa incident more than six weeks ago, the spiritual leader of the Tibetans, the Dalai Lama, has repeatedly requested talks with the Chinese government. Mainstream international opinion has also been working towards dialogue, only to be met with vehement refusal from the relevant authorities in Beijing. This approach was very hard to understand, and it was hard to be optimistic, faced with such circumstances. But now it seems as if things have taken a turn for the better, with the announcement by Xinhua news agency that the relevant departments in government are preparing to initiate contact with the Dalai Lama. This is a good omen, and worthy of our attention.
There is a view which says that this announcement has been made out of pure expendiency, to dampen the international controversy which is raging over Tibet. That view is wrong. Dialogue is in fact the only normal, legal way to resolve this conflict. It is the path which will ultimately cost the least, and the one which will lead most quickly to the healing of wounds, with the most bearable side-effects and consequences. The decision of the central government to move towards dialogue is to be welcomed.
This dialogue, which has grabbed world attention, will go ahead with the strong support and acceptance of the Chinese public; we can only hope that it will lead to reconciliation, a consummation which is also devoutly wished by that public.
There is an old saying: “Where there’s a will, there’s a way.” It doesn’t always apply to all circumstances, but in the case of dialogue and negotiation it is axiomatic. Sincerity will yield results. Arrows fired with strong intent can pierce the hardest rock. And it will be palpably clear in this situation where the true intent of the Chinese government lies. Do not seek to impose on others the very treatment you would avoid yourself. All dialogue, if it is to have a hope of success, must begin with a genuine desire to find out the situation and position of the other side. Criticism, obstructiveness, and attacks on the other side will end in failure because that sort of “dialogue” isn’t really a dialogue at all. It is just opposition in another guise. Once this unfortunate transformation occurs, dialogue is a dead duck.
What the Chinese people want to see is real dialogue which has the potential to lead to mutual understanding and reconciliation. What is most important in these talks which are about to take place is that we show people the real meaning of “harmonious society”. This should be the main theme. Skill in negotiating is secondary, as is saving face. We don’t want a war of words. It is no exaggeration to say that these forthcoming talks are nothing less than a test of the validity, effectiveness and feasibility of the ideological line laid down at the 17th Party Congress. If the “harmonious society” as a top political priority can remain intact through these talks, then we will be on track for a truly satisfactory Olympics, and also for a satisfactory ending to the story.
Video: The Dalai Lama gives an interview to Chinese reporters overseas.
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Bao Tong: On Beijing’s decision to talk to the Dalai Lama
On the decision by central government to have contact and discussions with the Dalai Lama
by Bao Tong
In the face of a major social upheaval, there are generally two roads to take. One is dialogue, and the other is opposition. Dialogue can lead to reconciliation, whereas opposition inevitably results in an exacerbation of the conflict. Whichever path we take depends on the ultimate aims of those making the decisions.
Since the Lhasa incident more than six weeks ago, the spiritual leader of the Tibetans, the Dalai Lama, has repeatedly requested talks with the Chinese government. Mainstream international opinion has also been working towards dialogue, only to be met with vehement refusal from the relevant authorities in Beijing. This approach was very hard to understand, and it was hard to be optimistic, faced with such circumstances. But now it seems as if things have taken a turn for the better, with the announcement by Xinhua news agency that the relevant departments in government are preparing to initiate contact with the Dalai Lama. This is a good omen, and worthy of our attention.
There is a view which says that this announcement has been made out of pure expendiency, to dampen the international controversy which is raging over Tibet. That view is wrong. Dialogue is in fact the only normal, legal way to resolve this conflict. It is the path which will ultimately cost the least, and the one which will lead most quickly to the healing of wounds, with the most bearable side-effects and consequences. The decision of the central government to move towards dialogue is to be welcomed.
This dialogue, which has grabbed world attention, will go ahead with the strong support and acceptance of the Chinese public; we can only hope that it will lead to reconciliation, a consummation which is also devoutly wished by that public.
There is an old saying: “Where there’s a will, there’s a way.” It doesn’t always apply to all circumstances, but in the case of dialogue and negotiation it is axiomatic. Sincerity will yield results. Arrows fired with strong intent can pierce the hardest rock. And it will be palpably clear in this situation where the true intent of the Chinese government lies. Do not seek to impose on others the very treatment you would avoid yourself. All dialogue, if it is to have a hope of success, must begin with a genuine desire to find out the situation and position of the other side. Criticism, obstructiveness, and attacks on the other side will end in failure because that sort of “dialogue” isn’t really a dialogue at all. It is just opposition in another guise. Once this unfortunate transformation occurs, dialogue is a dead duck.
What the Chinese people want to see is real dialogue which has the potential to lead to mutual understanding and reconciliation. What is most important in these talks which are about to take place is that we show people the real meaning of “harmonious society”. This should be the main theme. Skill in negotiating is secondary, as is saving face. We don’t want a war of words. It is no exaggeration to say that these forthcoming talks are nothing less than a test of the validity, effectiveness and feasibility of the ideological line laid down at the 17th Party Congress. If the “harmonious society” as a top political priority can remain intact through these talks, then we will be on track for a truly satisfactory Olympics, and also for a satisfactory ending to the story.
Video: The Dalai Lama gives an interview to Chinese reporters overseas.
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Filed under: China | Tagged: 2008_olympics, beijing_2008, buddhism, china_civilrights, china_civil_rights, china_rights, china_tibet, china_unrest, commentary, dalai_lama, East Asia, east_asia, freespeech, gansu, governance, human_rights, lhasa, Newsdesk, olympics, qinghai, religion, tibet, tibetan, tibetans |