The Australia Tibet Council is seeking clarification from the Speaker of the House of Representatives Harry Jenkins and President of the Senate John Hogg over comments attributed to them by Xinhua (the Chinese state-controlled media) following a hushed visit to Canberra by Qiangba Puncog, Chairman of the Standing Committee of Tibet Autonomous Regional People’s Congress.

Qiangba Puncog is one of the most senior Community Party officials in Tibet and was highly visible in the media during the 2008 unrest, during which he launched some of the most vitriolic attacks on the Dalai Lama. Like other recent visits of senior Chinese officials, Qiangba Puncog’s visit was not made public until after the fact, even to other members of the Federal and State parliaments.

According to Xinhua, “Hogg joyfully recalled his visit to Tibet last November and said he is now clear about China’s stance on Tibet and its concern.” Further, that Jenkins “emphasized that Australia, from government, parliament to each party, will jointly adhere to “one-China Policy” supporting China’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. Australia agrees that Tibet is a part of China.”

In November 2009 Senator John Hogg led the first official Australian parliamentary visit to Lhasa in nearly two decades. A report of that visit is yet to be tabled.

According to Simon Bradshaw, ATC’s political lobbyist, while Mr. Hogg and Mr. Jenkins may indeed have made statements affirming the Australian Government’s commitment to a so-called “one-China policy”, this is almost certainly an example of highly selective and misleading reporting by China’s state media. ATC has requested further details from the Speaker and President over the exchange, including any representations made over the Government’s stated concerns about human rights in Tibet. Mr Bradshaw said,

“Such visits are part of a larger strategy by the Chinese Government aimed at shoring up support for their policies in Tibet and re-framing perceptions of Tibet both at home and abroad. We will continue to watch these activities closely and, where we become aware of such visits in advance, ensure that the MPs and Senators involved are properly briefed on the realities in Tibet.”

Qiangba Puncog is also known to have met with officials in Melbourne and Sydney.