Washington DC: Sikyong Penpa Tsering of the Central Tibetan Administration undertook a series of official engagements, including addressing the Tibetan community, discussing the Tibet cause at research centres, and meeting with Canadian legislators in Montreal.

On 11 April 2024, Sikyong Penpa Tsering spoke to the Tibetan residents of Montreal on 16th Kashag’s (cabinet) political and administrative endeavours as part of his second leg visit at a gathering organised by the Tibetan Cultural Association of Quebec. The Tibetan political leader’s talk encompasses the Historical status of Tibet, ongoing critical situations inside Tibet, and the 16th Kashag’s strategic approaches to resolving the long-standing Tibet-China conflict through the Middle Way Approach policy and its efforts in safeguarding the sustenance of Tibetan settlements. Sikyong also emphasised collective efforts in Tibet advocacy regardless of differing views between Tibetans seeking the Middle Way and complete independence.

On the same day, the Montreal Institute of Genocide and Human Rights Studies-MIGS at Concordia University hosted a roundtable discussion featuring Sikyong Penpa Tsering. Speaking to MIGS members, Sikyong Penpa Tsering raised concerns over China’s systematic annihilation of unique Tibetan identity, discussed the geopolitical significance of the Tibetan plateau, and outlined the challenges confronting the international community in addressing China. Kyle Mathew, the Executive Director of MIGS, expressed appreciation for Sikyong’s insightful remarks on the PRC’s violation of human rights.

Later that day, Sikyong Penpa Tsering called on Yves-François Blanchet, the Leader of the Bloc Québécois, and MP Alexis Brunelle-Duceppe and discussed issues concerning Tibet-China conflict and Tibetans’ strive to preserve their cultural heritages.  

Sikyong was accompanied by Representative Dr Namgyal Choedup from the Office of Tibet in Washington DC and Canada Tibet Committee’s Chair Samphe Lhalungpa, Vice-Chair Luisa Durante, and Executive Director Sherap Tharchin during the meetings.   

Prior to his engagements in Montreal, Ontario Parliamentary Friends of Tibet received Sikyong Penpa Tsering to the Ontario Parliament on 9 April. 

-Report filed by Office of Tibet, Washington DC