China Focus Switzerland Tibet

Visit to Tibet by the Swiss ambassador to China

FDFA statement on the visit of the Swiss ambassador to Tibet

“Between September 7 and 11, 2020, the Swiss ambassador in Beijing (Bernardino Regazzoni, supplemented by TB) went to the Tibet Autonomous Region (TAR) at the invitation of the Chinese government. This was the first official Swiss visit to the TAR since 2017. The visit to Lhasa, Shigatse and their vicinity took place together with 10 other diplomatic missions. Switzerland welcomes the opportunity to visit the region and speak to the local population and took this opportunity to address important issues such as the human rights situation with the local government. Switzerland remains concerned about the human rights situation in Tibet and will continue to campaign for the rights of the ethnic and religious minority in China. The free access of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights to Tibet and the protection of Tibetan human rights defenders remain core demands of Switzerland. ”Bern, October 29.10.2020, XNUMX

The GSTF had received knowledge of the visit and reached the FDFA on October 6.10.2020, XNUMX with the following request:

“We are aware of the visit of the Swiss ambassador to Beijing and various other ambassadors from September 7th to 11th, 2020 in Tibet / TAR. We would like to base information on our communication channels on official information on the following points:

  • Did the visit take place within this timeframe?
  • Which ambassadors took part in the trip and which countries were represented?
  • Which places were visited and which official contacts took place on the Tibetan / Chinese side?
  • Which topics could Switzerland bring into discussions (e.g. China's willingness to enter into dialogue, Middle Way Approach of the Dalai Lama)?
  • Could individual cases of political prisoners also be discussed (Panchen Lama, Tashi Wangchuk)?
  • Was it possible to have certain conversations with the local Tibetan population?
  • Are there any conclusions from the Swiss ambassador's visit?
  • According to the latest reports, rural population groups in Tibet are being forced on a large scale (500) to take part in so-called “vocational training courses”. Could such activities be observed during the visit?

Thank you in advance for a prompt statement with information on the above points. Kind regards, Thomas Büchli "

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  1. I like to read the answers and get clarity🙏🏼!

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