TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — About 300 people marched in Taipei on Saturday afternoon to commemorate the 67th anniversary of the Tibetan uprising and protest China’s repression of Tibet, per CNA.
Organizers said the event aimed to remind the public of China’s continued occupation of Tibet and the repression of its people. They warned that failing to counter such aggression could lead to a similar fate for Taiwan and urged greater public attention to the issue.
The Tibetan uprising began in Lhasa on March 10, 1959, when large protests erupted to prevent Chinese authorities from arresting the Dalai Lama. Over the following days, thousands of people were killed and many Tibetans fled into exile in India.
Saturday’s march began at Zhongxiao Fuxing MRT station and proceeded toward Taipei 101. Participants carried Tibetan flags and chanted slogans during the event.
Kelsang Gyaltsen Bawa, chair of the Tibet Religious Foundation of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, said China is trying to change Tibet’s English name to Xizang and erase Tibetan history and language. He said he hopes Taiwan, as a free and democratic country, will oppose such coercion.
Yeh Ta-hua (葉大華), a commissioner at Taiwan’s National Human Rights Commission, also attended the march. She said China’s repressive rule in Tibet continues to escalate and has in recent years extended to Hong Kong and Taiwan.
“Supporting Tibet means supporting Taiwan’s own democracy and freedom,” Yeh said, adding that Taiwanese should stand with Tibetans to “safeguard the autonomy of religious reincarnation and resist transnational repression.”
The march passed Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall and the Bank of China building, where participants held a moment of silence and prostrated themselves to honor Tibetans who lost their lives. Speakers also delivered remarks opposing what they described as the Chinese Communist Party’s transnational repression.
Tsering, a Tibetan living in Taiwan who joined the march, said participants gather every year on Tibetan Uprising Day to tell the world that “Tibet belongs to Tibet.” He also warned that Taiwan could be the next to face Chinese aggression.
Tsai (蔡), a Taiwanese participant, said he has long followed the Tibetan issue through his study of Buddhism. He said Taiwanese should learn from the experiences of Tibet, Xinjiang and Hong Kong to better protect their way of life.
The march concluded at Taipei 101. Organizers said a candlelight vigil will also be held at Liberty Square on Tuesday evening to commemorate the Tibetan uprising.
