Following talks in Shenzen, China the the Dalai Lama’s Envoy, Lodi Gyari, has said that Chinese negotiators have shown a willingness to engage with the Tibetan side, despite major differences on important issues.

Chinese state media last week, in a move unprecedented within China, issued a public statement saying that Chinese officials will have “contact and consultation” with the Dalai Lama’s representative “in the coming days”, and claimed that “the door to dialogue has remained open”.

Heading to Canberra knowing that a huge and fiercely nationalistic crowd of Chinese demonstrators would also be making the trip, this was always going to be a challenging day for Australia’s Tibetans and Tibet supporters.

Nonetheless, through remaining calm, positive and non-violent, even in the face of considerable antagonism, we were able to deliver a strong and positive message of support for Tibet.

Monks from Labrang Monastery in Gansu province staged a protest in front of a state-organized media tour for foreign and Chinese journalists on Wednesday April 9.

According to information received by International Campaign for Tibet (ICT), a group of 15 monks burst into the courtyard where around 20 Chinese and foreign journalists were assembled and spoke about having no human rights, and about the Dalai Lama returning to Tibet.