Australia Tibet Council (ATC) has called on Foreign Minister Kevin Rudd to raise the Tibet issue with Jia Qinglin, China’s fourth-ranked leader, visiting Australia from 5-11 April.

As head of the United Front Work Department, Jia has direct responsibility for the stalled dialogue process with the Dalai Lama’s representatives.

The ATC has urged the foreign minister to encourage Jia to revive the dialogue process and to demonstrate a real commitment to reaching a resolution.

Paul Bourke, ATC’s Executive Officer, said, “The current harassment of Chinese writers, lawyers and activists reflects the everyday reality for Tibetans. Jia’s visit offers an opportunity for the Australian government to speak up for Tibetans and encourage China to get serious about working with the Tibetans to achieve a workable outcome”.

Jia is a member of the all-powerful Politburo Standing Committee and the chairman of parliamentary-style People’s Political Consultative Conference. As chair of the government’s Tibet Work Leading Group and head of the United Front Work Department, he is a key player in Tibet affairs. The dialogue between the Chinese government and representatives of the Dalai Lama, beginning in 2002, is in limbo as the Tibetans’ proposal on a genuine autonomy was flatly rejected at their last meeting in January 2010.

Tibet today has over 700 political prisoners and the past three years have seen a targeted crackdown on Tibetan cultural and intellectual figures. A new report by a US government delegation finds that despite massive economic investment in Tibet, the growing Chinese influx, income equalities and restrictions on religious practices are fuelling discontent and unhappiness among Tibetans. It notes the high growth boom in Tibet has come at the cost of its fragile environment, ancient culture and social ills from drugs to prostitution.

The ATC wants Rudd to put the ongoing repression on political and religious freedom, environmental damage and marginalisation of culture in Tibet on the agenda for discussions with Jia.

For further information and comment:
Paul Bourke 02 9283 3466