Tibetans living-in-exile surprised over China’s opposition to Dalai Lama’s visit

Gangtok, Sep 17 (ANI): Members of the exiled Tibetan community living at Gangtok said China’s opposition to the Dalai Lama’s visit to Arunachal Pradesh is “surprising”.

The Dalai Lama plans to visit Arunachal Pradesh soon. China has claimed part of Arunachal as its territory.

The exiled Tibetan spiritual leader’s aide said the Dalai Lama would be in Arunachal Pradesh state in the second week of November.

The intended visit has already sparked off controversy. China claims about 90,000 sq km of Arunachal Pradesh as part of its territory.

The Dalai Lama’s travel plan was announced a week after the completion of his visit to Taiwan, a self-ruled island claimed by Beijing. China denounced the trip.

“This time round when they (Chinese Authorities) are making some kind of pressure or some kind of opposition to the upcoming visit of his holiness to Arunachal Pradesh it is really very surprising.

Why would they complain when the government of India has no problem in his holiness visiting Arunachal Pradesh? So why should people of republic of china have some problem?” said Zimba Bhutia, Tibetan youth committee member.

“Chinese authorities have always been against the trip of Dalai Lama. So I think that they should know why Dalai Lama has been there. Dalai Lama has been welcomed by the people of Arunachal Pradesh as the spiritual and a Buddhist monk,” said Dhondup Dorjee, Tibetan welfare officer of Sikkim.

A visit to Arunachal Pradesh could now draw further attention to China’s treatment of Tibetan activists and the Dalai Lama’s calls for cultural and religious freedoms and autonomy. (ANI)

After Ladakh, Chinese incursions now reported in Uttarakhand

Dehradun (Uttarakhand), Sep.13 (ANI): Uttarakhand Chief Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal has reportedly informed the Central Government about possible incursions by the Chinese in his state.

Pokhriyal, quoting reports from locals in Rimkhim in Chamoli district, said the Chinese entered the state on September 5 and left behind biscuit packet wrappers and cigarettes.

He informed both Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh and the Home Ministry about this development and sought their help in curbing what he calls frequent incursions in his state.

He said, “We have shared the information with the Centre and we have demanded for more patrolling force at the Indo-China border.”

About a fortnight ago that the Chinese had ventured as far as the Pangong Lake in Ladakh, Jammu and Kashmir. According to reports, Chinese military helicopters had air dropped food packets in the region.

In another provocation, Chinese troops entered 1.5 kilometres into Indian Territory near Mount Gya-recognised as International border by India and China. Chinese troops painted rocks, boulders in Indian Territory red and labeled them “China”. The Chinese Government, however, has denied this charge through its foreign ministry.

Private television channel TIMES NOW quotes the Leh Deputy Commissioner as mentioning in a letter every instance of Chinese incursion and threats to sheperds in the region. The letter states that the Chinese are not only disputing territory, they are actually claiming the land as their own.

China has also raised a stink over proposed visit to Tamang in Arunachal Pradesh by Tibetan spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama. (ANI)

Dalai Lama urged to keep politics out during his Taiwan visit

New Delhi, Aug 31 (ANI): Taiwan officials hope that Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama stays clear of politics during his visit to comfort victims of Typhoon Morakot.

The Dalai Lama arrived in the island on late Sunday. More than 10 Taiwan political organizations denounced the opposition Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) for inviting him, calling the move unethical and politically motivated.

Seven Taiwan mayors and county chiefs from the DPP last Wednesday invited the Dalai Lama to join religious activities for victims of the typhoon.

Taiwan allowed the Dalai Lama to visit in 1997 and 2001, the China Daily reports.

Morakot, the worst typhoon to hit Taiwan in 50 years, has claimed at least 461 lives and left 192 missing and 46 injured, Taiwan’s disaster response authorities said.

“We believe the Dalai Lama will have the wisdom to distinguish between religious empathy and political maneuvering,” said Wu Poh-hsiung, chairman of the ruling Kuomintang (KMT).

“Because Taiwan has been badly hit by the typhoon, his visit should help the island instead of adding difficulty to it.”

Wu said he sought input from Beijing about the visit, but he did not give details or say whether Beijing responded.

Taiwan authorities, including Taiwan leader Ma Ying-jeou, have said that they will not meet the Dalai Lama publicly or privately.

A spokesman for the Dalai Lama, Tenzin Taklha, has denied the visit has any political subtext. “It is a spiritual visit. The purpose is to offer prayers for the victims and to offer comfort and succor to those who have survived,” Takhla said. (ANI)

Dalai Lama urges China to exercise restrain in dealing with ethnic tension

Dharamsala, July 9(ANI): Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama on Thursday asked the Chinese government to exercise restraint in dealing with the ethnic violence in Urumqi, the capital of China’s Xinjiang Uighurs province, which has claimed 156 lives and left thousands injured.

“I am deeply saddened and concerned with the worsening situation in East Turkistan (Xinjiang), especially with the tragic loss of lives. I earnestly urge the Chinese authorities to exercise restraint in dealing with the situation in a spirit of understanding and far-sightedness,” said Thubten Samphel, spokesperson of the Tibetan government-in-exile while reading the message of the Dalai Lama in Dharamshala.

“I offer my prayers for those who lost their lives, their families and others affected by this sad turn of events,” he added.

About 1,434 people have been arrested in the unrest between Han Chinese and Muslim Uighurs since Sunday in Urumqi.

It is being feared that demonstrations and rioting could break out in other parts of the vast region, especially in areas which are heavily populated by minority Muslim Uighurs. (ANI)

Dalai Lama urges China to exercise restrain in dealing with ethnic tension

Dharamsala, July 9(ANI): Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama on Thursday asked the Chinese government to exercise restraint in dealing with the ethnic violence in Urumqi, the capital of China’s Xinjiang Uighurs province, which has claimed 156 lives and left thousands injured.

“I am deeply saddened and concerned with the worsening situation in East Turkistan (Xinjiang), especially with the tragic loss of lives. I earnestly urge the Chinese authorities to exercise restraint in dealing with the situation in a spirit of understanding and far-sightedness,” said Thubten Samphel, spokesperson of the Tibetan government-in-exile while reading the message of the Dalai Lama in Dharamshala.

“I offer my prayers for those who lost their lives, their families and others affected by this sad turn of events,” he added.

About 1,434 people have been arrested in the unrest between Han Chinese and Muslim Uighurs since Sunday in Urumqi.

It is being feared that demonstrations and rioting could break out in other parts of the vast region, especially in areas which are heavily populated by minority Muslim Uighurs. (ANI)

Dalai Lama meets Advani

New Delhi, July 8 (ANI): Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama called on Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) senior leader Lal Krishna Advani at his official residence here today.

The visit was termed as a courtesy call.

During his birthday celebrations here on Monday, he termed his stay in India for the past 50 years as an enriching experience.

“Fifty years passed since I came to this country because of some tragedy beyond human control. When I look back last 50 years, I think my life has not been wasted. I got the opportunity to learn from other religious traditions,” he said.

The Dalai Lama was born in 1935 in a hamlet at Takster in Tibet.

The Dalai Lama has lived in Dharamsala with thousands of his followers ever since a failed uprising against Chinese rule in 1959. (ANI)

Oz Foreign Minister defends Dalai Lama meeting in Dharamshala

Melbourne, July 5 (ANI): Australian Foreign Minister Stephen Smith has maintained that the Australian parliamentary delegation’s decision to meet the Dalai Lama in India was entirely appropriate despite Chinese condemnation.

“This is a reflection of Australia’s democratic strengths. It is entirely appropriate for a parliamentary delegation to visit India and entirely appropriate for a parliamentary delegation to make contact with the Dalai Lama if it so chooses,” The Age quoted Smith, as saying.

According to Smith, Chinese officials had made a low level condemnation of a meeting between the Australian parliamentary delegation and the Dalai Lama in India last week.

Smith said Australia had made strong calls for China to engage in dialogue with the Dalai Lama, and strong remarks about Chinese human rights abuses in Tibet.

He added that Australia had also made the point to China that it needed to be more transparent in explaining the strategic justification for the enhancement of its military forces.

Earlier, Australia’s former Prime Minister Paul Keating had criticised the Kevin Rudd government for being excessively defensive towards China in the new Defence White Paper.

On this, Smith said Australia wasn’t being defensive at all, and enjoyed a positive, productive and forward-looking relationship with China.

“On the question of China and its military modernisation … the Australian government, including the prime minister and I, have made the point to China that as China emerges as a growing economy and as an economic power, of course its military capacity and its military deployments and its military assets will increase,” he said.

“That is a natural thing. What we do need to have more from China is what is the particularly strategic underpinning of this military enhancement.”

Smith said China talked of emerging into a harmonious environment while Australia talked in terms of China being a responsible international stakeholder.

“We are confident that will occur but we are not starry-eyed about our relationship with China. There are a range of things where we have differing views with China including human rights issues,” he said. (ANI)

Australia to hold ‘Harmony March’ in solidarity with Indian students

Dharamsala, July 4 (ANI): Australian lawmaker Michael Danby has said that Australia will hold a ‘Harmony March’ in Melbourne in solidarity with Indian students on July 12.

Talking to reporters here on Friday, Danby, who is heading a six-member Australian parliamentarian delegation said, “We are joining the premier of Victoria in a march to express the views of the overwhelming majority of Australians condemning these attacks. On July 12 something called the “Harmony March” which will be taking place in Melbourne…will be a public expression of the vast majority of Australians…about these attacks on Indian students.”

He also condemned the unending spate of attacks on Indian students in Australia recently.

“We want to react very strongly to these attacks on Indian students, because it is not the way of the Australians…it’s not Australia, all and all,” he said.he group of Australian lawmakers arrived in Dharamsala on Wednesday to meet the exiled Tibetan leader, the Dalai Lama, and representatives of Tibet’s government-in-exile.

The six-member delegation comprises, Labour lawmakers Michael Danby and Melissa Parke, Liberal lawmaker Peter Slipper, Independent Senator Nick Xenophon and Greens Senators Scott Ludlam and Sarah Hanson-Young.

The delegation are due to stay in Dharamsala till July 6. They are is accompanied by a handful of lawyers, journalists and activists.

The delegation met the Dalai Lama and sought greater access to Tibet for parliamentarians from across the world and media.

“We want that a group of Australian parliamentarians like European and Indian parliamentarians be allowed to visit Lhasa in Tibet, we want to (see) with our own eyes the condition of Tibetan people. We have told this to the Chinese authorities and we hope in good faith that they will respond to it,” said Danby. (ANI)

Dalai Lama’s special teaching session on Buddhism

Dharamshala, June 24 (ANI): Tibetan spiritual leader Dalai Lama on Wednesday started a two-day special teaching session for Buddhist students in Dharamsala.

Thousands of Buddhist students from across the world gathered at the Tibetan Children Villa School for the teachings on the text of thirty-seven practices of Bodhisattvas.

“We are very happy to gather here. All the Tibetan youngsters are here so we could learn something on Buddhist (Buddhism),” said Tenzin Namgyal, a Tibetan student.

Many Buddhist monks and nuns and other local people also gathered to attend teachings of the spiritual leader.

Tibetans believe that Dalai Lama follows a different approach to teaching and explains basics of everything.

“This is very important particularly the approach his holiness takes is very different. And this is very much in tune with audience here. He is putting everything in perspective, not just going about the traditional way of explaining things. But rather really touching on the very basics of it and then making sense of everything that he teaches. And thereby making them get the essence of Buddha teaching which is to bring about a positive transformation in their mentality,” said Damdul Namgyal, a monk.

Dharamsala, which is also called ‘Little Tibet’, is home to thousands of Tibetans who found a new haven to preserve their unique faith, culture and identity.

Tibetan exiles are protesting around the world by reviving the spirit of the Tibetan national uprising of 1959, engaging in non-violent direct action, to end China’s occupation of Tibet.

An estimated 134,000 Tibetans live in exile, a majority of them in India and Nepal. (ANI)

Dalai Lama’s visit to France ‘could hurt ties’, warns China

Beijing, May 28 (ANI): Chinese observers believe an invitation from Paris Mayor Bertrand Delanoe to Tibetan spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama, could derail Sino-French relations.

Delanoe’s spokesman, Laurent Fary, confirmed that the mayor has invited the Dalai Lama to Paris in early June to collect the title of honorary citizen of the city, which he was awarded in 2008.

Earlier this month, Beijing urged Paris not to interfere in China’s internal affairs by meeting the Dalai Lama.

The French foreign ministry played down the significance of the invitation, saying it was made independently by the city and “should have no impact on the caliber of our relations with China”.

But Wu Baiyi, an expert on European studies with the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, told the China Daily that Paris, as part of France, is obliged to coordinate its acts according to a communiqui agreed by the two foreign ministries on April 1 that stated that France fully recognized “the sensitivity of the Tibet issue” and that France would not support “Tibet independence” in any form.

“France will need to act upon the promise as a whole, though political parties in France might take different views,” Wu said.

Feng Zhongping, chief of European studies at the China Institutes of Contemporary International Relations, said Paris should be “very careful” with future moves related to Tibet to avoid sparking a renewal of protest in China.

He pointed out that Sino-French relations were dampened after French President Nicolas Sarkozy met the Dalai Lama in Poland last December. The relationship did not get back on track until early April. (ANI)

Hackers can’t hack top-secret data of military: Internet scientist

Beijing, May 21 (ANI): An acclaimed Internet scientist has said that there is no way hackers could access top-secret data by penetrating the firewalls of military on government networks.

Former National Computer Network Emergency response team’s Director Professor Fang Binxing said there is no scientific basis to blame either China’s military or the government for hacking other nations’ networks because most of them are “out of reach”.

Binxing’s statement came after the foreign media blamed the Chinese authorities of infiltrating military networks and government computers in more than 100 countries.

A specialist on Internet security said that Networks containing sensitive intelligence are impenetrable, because the militaries isolate their networks completely from the public domain to prevent hacking.

“If there have been cases of key intelligence being stolen, I believe there would have been undercover agents within the organizations facilitating the theft you cannot simply do it with computer technology,” he added.

Fang Xingdong, a Beijing-based Internet technology expert, said China has become a staging post for hackers worldwide, who use the country’s network security vulnerability to launch attacks on other countries.

“Hackers often use computers based in China as their ‘springboard’. That makes it confusing even for the US military,” he added.

According to an Internet security report released on April 15 by Symantec, the California-based anti-virus software maker, about 71 percent of the computers hacked in the Asia-Pacific region are based in China, which has a cyber population of 300 million.

At the same time, 38 percent of hacking attempts worldwide originate in the US, compared with 13 percent in China, the report said.

“The US military is picking on China because it wants to make its claims appear more plausible,” Fang Binxing said.

Canadian-based researchers have also claimed that a cyber spy network based mainly in China hacked into classified documents from government and private organizations in 103 countries, including the computers of the Dalai Lama and Tibetan exiles.

The researchers also dubbed the alleged infiltration “GhostNet” but “whether it’s called ‘GhostNet’ or something else, it’s just an expression, not a technical term in any sense,” Fang said.

The academician also rebutted reports by foreign newspapers claiming that China’s indigenously-built security operating system “Kylin” has links to military use. (ANI)

Tibetan exiles protest against Panchen Lama’s detention

New Delhi, May 17 (ANI): The Regional Tibetan Women Association (RTWA) organised a peaceful protest march here on Sunday for the detention of eleventh Panchen Lama, who they allege has been held captive by China.

The eleventh Panchen Lama, also known as Gedhun Choekyi Nyima, is said to be under detention for the past 13 years.

Holding banners and raising slogans against the Chinese government, the protestors asked China to furnish verifiable information about the young Panchen Lama.

“We appeal to the United Nations (UN) and the World Human Right Organisation (WHRO) to pressurise the Chinese leaders to confirm the whereabouts of eleventh Panchen Lama. We also appeal to our international supporters, peace loving countries, NGOs and individuals to take up our cause at all levels to ensure early restoration of human rights in Tibet,” said Rinzing Ongmu, RTWA President.

Born on April 25, 1989, Gedhun Choekyi Nyima was named by the Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama as the eleventh Panchen Lama on 14 May, 1995, when he was aged six years.

However, three days later, on May 17, he and his parents were reportedly missing.

On May, 15, 1996, the Chinese government admitted to holding the eleventh Panchen Lama and his parents in their ‘protective custody’.

Over the years, China has provided conflicting reports about the whereabouts and well being of the Panchen Lama, ranging from rumours of his death towards the late 1999 to a set of photos that Chinese officials displayed briefly, but did not hand over to European human rights activists.

Reportedly, the photos showed the young Gedhun Choekyi Nyima playing table-tennis and writing Chinese characters on a blackboard.

In 2001, the International Campaign for Tibet obtained a new photo purporting to be of 12-year-old Gedhun Choekyi Nyima. However, nothing is known of the authenticity of the photograph.

Lately, China claimed that the Panchen Lama is attending school and leading a normal life somewhere in China, and that his whereabouts are kept undisclosed to protect him, but all requests for access to Gedhun Choekyi Nyima have been repeatedly refused so far.

Tibetan Government-in-exile based at Dharamsala in India claims that the young Panchen Lama and his family continue to be political prisoners, and have called him the ‘youngest political prisoner in the world’ while a few others have named him as ‘The Stolen Child of Tibet’. (ANI)

Hindus urge authentic portrayal of Lord Buddha in upcoming mega-film

Nevada (US), May 11 (ANI): Welcoming the recent announcement of English language international mega-film on Buddha, Hindus have urged its makers to present an authentic portrayal of his life and times.

Acclaimed Hindu statesman Rajan Zed, in a statement in Nevada (USA) today, said that Gautama Buddha, besides Buddhists is also revered by Hindus. Reimagining of scriptures and life of Buddha purely for mercantile greed would likely to hurt the devotees.

Zed, who is president of Universal Society of Hinduism, said that they welcomed filmmakers to work on religious themes and figures, but they would recommend them to handle faith related subjects very carefully and sensitively, as cinema was a highly powerful medium.

Apparently the most expensive film ever made in Bollywood, this reportedly about 122 million dollars project, produced by Spice Enfotainment headed by industrialist B. K. Modi and directed by Filmfare Award winner Ashutosh Gowarikar (Lagaan) with a diverse cast and crew, is expected to go on the floor in May 2010 and be completed by the end of the year.

Reportedly scripted by Oscar winner David S. Ward (Sleepless in Seattle) on a book by Vietnamese Zen Buddhist monk Thich Nhat Hanh, biographical “Buddha” will be shot in the foothills of Himalayas. Spiritual and temporal leader of Tibetan Buddhists His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama reportedly also has some kind of advisory role with the movie.

Founder of Buddhism, Gautama Buddha (roughly 568-483 BCE) is also known as Sakyamuni or Siddhartha. Buddha means Wise One or Enlightened One. For Hindus, he was ninth avatar (incarnation) of Vishnu (the all-pervader). (ANI)

Dalai Lama returns to India after US visit

Kangra (Himachal Pradesh), May 10 (ANI): After a brief visit to the United States, Tibetan spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama returned to Dharamsala.

Samdhong Rinpoche, Tibetan Prime Minister-in-exile said the Dalai Lama’s tour to United States was a success.

“He visited California, Boston and other places. After his successful tour, he has come back to India,” said Rinpoche.

The Dalai Lama has visited the U.S. many times and met with the last three U.S.

Presidents, but always in an unofficial capacity – never in the Oval Office. But the Dalai Lama said official or unofficial doesn’t matter to him.

The Dalai Lama praised American democracy and thinks President Obama is realistic and open.

In an exclusive interview with FOX News during his five-city tour of the United States, the Dalai Lama said: “I think basically America is a champion of freedom, democracy, liberty.” (ANI)

Secret celebrity obsessions, habits revealed

Washington, May 2 (ANI): Kim Kardashian is obsessed with ear buds, Debra Messing has a fetish for pens – these are just some of the secrets of celebrities.

Fox News has put together a list of 5 Surprising Celebrity Admissions straight from the horse’s mouth.

Here are some of their confessions about their habits, hidden talents and obsessions.

Jennifer Coolidge: “Because I’m big, it doesn’t look like I can run fast. But I can run really fast. When I was a waitress, and this guy ran out on my tab, and I had all the drinks in my hand, I ran with all the drinks and caught him and he couldn’t believe it. He’s like, “that fat girl just…!” he couldn’t believe that I caught him.”

Kim Kardashian: “I love to bake, especially cupcakes. I’m really good at it. I’m also obsessed with Q-tips; I use them, minimum, five times a day.”

Debra Messing: “I’m obsessed with pens! Fountain pens, specifically fountain pens, so if anybody you know who’s reading wants to send me fountain pens, I love them!”

Aubrey O’Day: “During college I traveled the world. I’ve worked with Fidel Castro and Nelson Mandela, I’ve met the Dalai Llama, I’ve been to the Taj Mahal and the Great Wall of China. I loved Vietnam and I loved bungee jumping in South Africa.”

Tila Tequila: “I am really really into politics; it’s my next career move. Everyone thinks I’m dumb but I’m not. I plan to run for Governor one day.” (ANI)

Tibetan exiles stage candlelight vigil in Kolkata

Kolkata, Apr 27 (ANI): Tibetan exiles took out a candlelight vigil here last evening protesting against the alleged atrocities by Chinese authorities in their homeland.

The march was organised by the Students of Free Tibet in memory of the victims of Lhasa riots last year and in support of the missing 11th Panchen Lama, Gendhun Chockyi Nyima.

“The reason behind this candlelight vigil is that we are remembering all those people who lost their lives in Lhasa riots last year and yesterday was Gendhun Chockyi Nyima’s birthday. He has been kidnapped by the Chinese and till now we don’t know about his whereabouts. So, we are demanding his release and simultaneously we want our country to be free,” said Kheysang Choden Bhutia, spokesperson of the Students of Free Tibet.

On Saturday marked the 20th birthday of Gendhun Chockyi Nyima, named by Tibet’s spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama, as the 11th Panchen Lama.

Gendhun Chockyi Nyima (11th Panchen Lama) was born in Lhari village inagchu region of Tibetan Autonomous Region (TAR).

After the 10th Panchen Lama died in 1989, Beijing and the Dalai Lama made rival choices for his successor, and the Dalai’s choice for the 11th Panchenama, Gendhun Chockyi Nyima, then aged six, suddenly disappeared from public view.

Tibetans around the world say Chinese authorities kidnapped him and human rights watchdogs have called him the world’s youngest political prisoner.

Denouncing the recognition of Panchen Lama in 1995 Chinese had already installed the other Panchan Lama Gyatsen Norbu. (ANI)

Dalai Lama calls US ‘Champion of Freedom’

Santa Barbara (California, US), Apr.25 (ANI): Tibetan spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama, has praised American democracy and thinks President Obama is realistic and open.

In an exclusive interview with FOX News during his five-city tour of the United States, the Dalai Lama said: “I think basically America is a champion of freedom, democracy, liberty.”
“Occasionally the administration neglects these principles, but overall, I think these principles are very much alive in this country,” he added.

On President Obama, he said: “He seems, I think, very realistic, very open. He always reaches out. That’s, I think, wonderful. Very good.”

The Dalai Lama has visited the U.S. many times and met with the last three U.S. presidents but always in an unofficial capacity – never in the Oval Office.

But the Dalai Lama said official or unofficial doesn’t matter to him.

“In what form, I don’t care. Important thing is, meet. Talk. That’s important,” he said.

The possibility of a meeting comes amid continuing warnings from China, including as recently as Thursday, suggesting that the Obama administration should not meet with the exiled Tibetan leader, whom China has described as a separatist.

“That’s quite routine. Nothing special,” laughed the Dalai Lama, who has not been back to his native Tibet since he fled in 1959, nine years after Chinese troops seized control of the region.

As for threats from China, the spiritual leader pointed out that past warnings proved to have no teeth.

“Look, the meeting with the German Chancellor, the Chinese government was furious, and some programs were cancelled. Then meeting with French president, also similar. Then after a few months, nothing happened,” he said.

On the global economic downturn, he said there is a positive side – if one is willing to recognize it.

“I think the global economic crisis, in a way, is good, to teach people who usually see their luxurious way of life. Now, I think it reminds people there are limitations. It’s unrealistic to always expect grow, grow, grow, grow,” he said. (ANI)

German parliamentary rights experts call trip to Tibet one-sided

Beijing – Members of a German parliamentary delegation allowed to visit Tibet said Monday that they were constantly escorted by Chinese minders during their trip and said it was deeply one-sided.

Holgar Haibach, the head of the four-member delegation from the human rights committee of the German Bundestag, said many of the group’s questions were not answered and their minders in Lhasa, Tibet’s capital, wanted to give the Germans the impression that all was normal in Tibet.

“The one-sidedness was formidable,” he said, adding that the delegation was not allowed to visit a prison during its three-day stay in Lhasa.

The delegation added that the Chinese army’s presence there was unchanged and massive.

Haibach said the Chinese minders told the delegation that all monks went voluntarily to “patriotic education campaigns,” but one monk told the delegation that participation was required.

The campaign was introduced after deadly unrest in March 2008 in Tibetan-populated areas of China. While the Chinese side has accused the Dalai Lama, Tibetan Buddhism’s spiritual leader, of provoking the unrest, trials nearly two weeks ago in which four Tibetans were sentenced to death for fatal arson fires did not present any findings on the accusation, delegation member Burkhardt Mueller-Soenksen said.

The trip was the first by German human rights experts since the outbreak of the protests against Chinese rule.

Another committee delegation travelled at the same time to the far-western region of Xinjiang, where Muslim Uigurs complain of oppression from China’s government.

The delegations had earlier discussed the death penalty; administrative detention, which in China can be ordered without trial; and other human rights issues while in Beijing.

There were always two “red lines” in the discussions with Chinese authorities, Haibach said: Neither Chinese national unity nor the authority of the Communist Party could be called into question.

Delegation member Juergen Klimke called the visit a success even when many of its questions went unanswered. “When they say nothing, that also provides insight,” he said. (dpa)