Newly Elected Tibetan PM-in-exile Pledges to Improve Talks with Chinese Regime

Tibet’s new Prime Minister-in-exile, Lobsang Sangay, was sworn in on Monday in Dharamsala, India. Sangay hopes to improve bilateral talks to resolve the long-standing conflict peacefully with the Chinese regime.

Many Tibetans see the official ceremony as a crucial turning point in the independence movement led by the Dalai Lama since the 1950's.

Sangay said on Sunday that he would strive to reach out to Chinese leaders during his five-year term.

Born in an Indian refugee settlement, the 42-year-old Harvard University law graduate is optimistic about his new role.

[Lobsang Sangay, Tibetan Prime Minister-in-exile]:
"I have 16 years of record of reaching out to Chinese students and scholars at Harvard University and I want to continue that same practice of dialogue and will reach out to Chinese people within and in the Diaspora so that we can resolve the issue peacefully, based on mutual interests."

Sangay’s leadership will not be radically different from that of the Dalai Lama. His administration will continue with the ‘Middle Way’ policy. The policy seeks ‘meaningful autonomy’ within China--and not outright independence--for Tibet.

[Lobsang Sangay, Tibetan Prime Minister-in-exile]:
"I do support the 'Middle Way' policy and the Tibetan parliament has passed a resolution on that. This is the view of His Holiness, the Dalai Lama and majority of Tibetans support that. I stood my election based on this and I won the election based on the Middle Way policy. So, for the next five years, the Middle Way will be the policy of this administration."

The Chinese Communist Party has dismissed Sangay’s election. But Sangay still offers a conciliatory gesture of peace, reiterating his willingness to have dialogue and negotiations with his Chinese counterpart.