Published by: World Tibet Network News Wednesday, December 10th, 1997 International Human Rights Day

Express News Service, December 8, 1997

As part of the ongoing dialogue between Tibetans and Chinese pro-democrats, the Tibetan Government officials and activists today met Chinese dissident leader Cao Chang-Ching, in Mcleodganj.

According to the sources, the discussion focused on mobilising international support against human right's violations in Tibet. The meeting also delved on the possibility of bringing the pro-democrats of China under one banner as popular pro-democracy activist Wei Jingsheng was also free after serving 18-year sentence for challenging the policies of late Chinese premier Deng Xiaoping .

Even Cao Chang-Ching had taken refuge in United State in the late 80s after Deng had expelled him for positive writings on democracy and freedom of Tibet. Ever since then, Ching has been instrumental in pursuing the cause of Tibet through articles in leading journals endorsing democratic reforms in China, along with another Chinese rebel Harry Wu.

China has been active in organising non-resident Chinese pro-democrats and educating the Chinese students, who go abroad for higher studies, about the Tibetan cause.

His meeting with the Tibetans acquires significance following his recent reported visit to China under a fake identity. He has, reportedly, managed to make documentary on the Chinese atrocities in the labour camps. Sources say that Ching was arrested by the Chinese police two months back while he was taking clandestine pictures. But he was later released as premier Jiang Zemin was about to visit United States within next few days, the sources add.

Sources in the Tibetan Government claim that there has been an improvement in their ties with the Chinese pro-democrats, as the latter were quite vocal on Tibet.