Tibet Ministries:
What: Various
ministries to Tibet including
literature, teaching, outreach and radio
programming and supply of radios. An
agricultural project is helping a
community develop products commercially.
Marriage guidance ministry is also being
developed.
Why: Tibet remains
an exceedingly difficult region for the
Gospel. Among the Kahm people there are
very few believers, indeed it is
possible that there are no Christians at
all among the Northern Kahm group.
Regular radio broadcast in the Kahm
languages are a significant ministry
where both the geography of the country
and the distinctive Tibetan Buddhism
have proven obstacles to the spread of
the Good News.
Cost: £20 provides a
significant pack of outreach and
training materials for Tibet. £50 helps
run a marriage guidance course. £70 is
the cost of one day of Christian
broadcasting in the Kahm language.
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There is still an uneasy tension between the Tibetans and the Chinese. Some Tibetans still feel disadvantaged under the many policies of the Chinese government that seem to favour the Chinese over the Tibetans. 100,000s of Tibetan refugees, in search of a 'better life', have crossed the Himalayan Mountains to seek refuge in India , Nepal and other places. Yet there are other Tibetans who have moved to cities who have become assimilated into Chinese society, have adopting the Chinese language, culture and are living together harmoniously with the Chinese.
The Chinese have governed Tibet since 1951. In 1959, The Dalai Lama (Tibet 's so-called 'god king') fled from his homeland to Dharamsala , India to set up a new Tibet government in exile and to demand for a free Tibet . In 1988, in view of China 's unwillingness to discuss any issue concerning the independence of Tibet, the Dalai Lama withdrew the demand for independence in favour of 'genuine autonomy.' Despite this, China has ceased communication with the Dalai Lama since 1993.
Dialogue only resumed with the first Tibetan delegation to Beijing in Sept '02. The second dialogue continued with the second Tibetan delegation to Beijing in June '03. The US and European community (EU) continues to encourage China to engage in substantial dialogue with the Dalai Lama's government in exile. A resolution of the European Parliament dated 6 July 2000 considers 'to formally recognize the Government of Tibet as the legitimate representation of Tibet' if no agreement 'on a new status for Tibet' has been reached between the people's Republic of China and the Dalai Lama's Government in exile by 6 July 2003.
India is considered the Tibet government in exile's closest ally for granting asylum to the Dalai Lama and the Tibet government in exile in Dharamsala, north India. However in June '03, India signed an agreement with China that reiterates its recognition of the Tibet Autonomous Region (TAR) as part of China .