Published by: World Tibet Network News Saturday, September 27, 1997

Source: Inside China Today, A Service of the European Internet Network

Date: September 1997

T H E D A L A I L A M A

PART TWO

Philippe Noubel:

Thank you very much. For my first question, (it) will concern your relations with China and the Chinese government. You have been awarded the Nobel price for peace in 1989. You have become a media star in the West, but China describes you as a hostile force plotting to split the motherland and the average Chinese is not aware of the situation in Tibet. As you probably know, the Communist Party of China will hold its 15th congress next week and it is expected that Chinese President Jiang Zemin will be reconfirmed as the core of the Chinese leadership. What is your understanding of the situation now in China? Do you think as Chinese dissident Wei Jingsheng said, "the time has come now for the fifth modernization that is the democratization of Chinese society?"

Dalai Lama:

That's difficult to say. Basically, it seems to me, the People's Republic of China is in the process of changing, but changing gradually, not so dramatically and I personally feel that gradual change is better. It's a big nation (there are) a lot of complications, problems, so the change within the party and gradual that's, I feel, much better. If somewhere there is the total collapse, such as the former Soviet Union (where) it happened, I think it would be dangerous and a lot of people will suffer, and the present leadership and also, of course, Jiang Zemin. I feel, I think they are committed to that kind of gradual change, that's my feeling. But of course as a totalitarian regime it is very difficult to predict.

Philippe Noubel:

So are you optimistic about political changes in Beijing to open direct negotiations with your government in exile?

Dalai Lama:

Now they've basically the current Chinese policy in Tibet is not constructive. So even (if) they (have an) interest, (a) long term interest from the People's Republic of China's side, I think the current policy is not good. So, therefore, China as a great nation, a nation with great responsibility, who know that they have to find a more constructive policy regarding Tibet and also East Turkestan or Xinjiang and Taiwan. As far as Hong Kong is concerned now, up to now, it seems quite a remarkable transition. (It's gone) very, very well. so I'm hoping a more constructive policy can be developed. This is my feeling.