Interview With Tibet President-In-Exile Discussing U.S. Aid, the Diaspora, and the Dalai Lama's succession plan May 4, 2025
Sikyong Penpa Tsering is the political leader of the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA) since 2021. The Dalai Lama remains the spiritual leader of Tibetan Buddhism since 1940. Tenzin Gyatso will turn 90 on July 6. His Holiness had knee surgery in the United States in 2024 and is otherwise in robust health for a person his age. He wants his successor to follow traditional protocol through reincarnation. The Central Government in Beijing would like to appoint the next Dalai Lama 2whereby, the current Dalai Lama has said he could appoint his successor given Beijing's obstruction and destruction of Tibetan culture.
In this interview, Sikyong Tsering who is in Washington explains that his purpose is to rally Congress to reinstate USAID funding for Tibet. He notes there is bi- partisan support for Tibet with Secretary of State Marco Rubio offering support through written dialogue. The Trump Administration has been delayed in appointing a coordinator for Tibet issues. Indeed, Tsering indicates USAID amounts to 12 million USD. He indicates that support fr Tibet with China as an existential threat to the U.S. provides security to America as the aid is dispersed and affects the Tibetan diaspora.
In addition, U.S. cuts to Radio Free Asia is limiting the information regarding Tibet to the international community and diaspora. Voice of America is experiencing budget cuts, too, impacting the flow of information.
While the TGIE favours a "Middle Way" to allow for a power sharing approach to governing Tibet, Xi Jinping has advocated a robust stance in the Indo Pacific that makes surrendering control inside Tibet problematic for Xi politically, particularly, with problems on the mainland, including youth unemployment, a faltering property sector, U.S. tariffs and a developing protest movement. While there has been communication between the CPC and TGIE this communication seems complimentary as it has under previous Chinese administrations.
Below is the link to the interview.
Next Dalai Lama: Who Will It Be? | Exclusive With Tibet President-In-Exile May 4 2025
Contact information for the Central Tibetan Administration:
Contact:
Secretary
Tibetan Supreme Justice Commission
Central Tibetan Administration
Dharamshala – 176215 H.P., India
Tel: +91-1892-225099, 224964
Fax: +91-1892-225099
E-mail: tsjc@tibet.net
