Envoys of His Holiness the Dalai Lama and Chinese officials have been engaged in a dialogue process since September 2002. ICT advocates for negotiations between the Dalai Lama and the Chinese government in order to bring about a peaceful solution to the status of Tibet.

Unfortunately, six years of sporadic dialogue have not progressed to substantive negotiations. The talks have not met the expectations of the international community, including several heads of state, for meaningful progress towards a mutually-agreeable solution for Tibet.

The most recent round of talks began in September 2002, following a nine-year impasse and lack of formal communications between Beijing and the representatives of the Dalai Lama. Since then, the envoys of the Dalai Lama have met with Chinese officials in China and in Switzerland, and have visited Tibetan areas at the invitation of the Chinese government.

The encouragement that characterized the earlier rounds unfortunately has dissipated in the most recent meetings in 2008. In 2005, the Dalai Lama’s Special Envoy said “it was apparent that both sides had a positive assessment of the ongoing process,” By contrast, by July 2008, he called the talks “difficult” and “disappointing.”

Further Information:

» Chronology of Tibetan-Chinese Relations, 1979 to 2008

» Memorandum on Genuine Autonomy for the Tibetan People

» Note on the Memorandum on Genuine Autonomy for the Tibetan People

» Issues Raised by Envoys of H.H. the Dalai Lama During the Ninth Round of Dialogue with Representatives of the Chinese Leadership

» 2008 Negotiations

» 2007 Negotiations

» 2006 Negotiations

» 2005 Negotiations

» 2004 Negotiations

» 2003 Negotiations

» 2002 Negotiations

» State Department Reports on Dialogue