Bay Area Holds Tibe Han Youth Exchange Conference Safeguarding Culture and Freedom.

In order to promote understanding and connection between Tibetan and Han youth, and to combat the information censorship and misleading propaganda by the Chinese Communist Party, the Tibetan Administration in North America recently held a “Tibetan Han Youth Exchange Conference” in the Bay Area of San Francisco.

By sharing cultural, lifestyle, and political experiences, the event aimed to create an open and equal platform for dialogue to deepen understanding and mutual support between Tibetans and Hans.

The event took place on March 28th (last Friday) at the Northern California Tibetan Association in Richmond, Bay Area, and was hosted by Tsultrim Gyatso, the Chinese liaison officer for the Tibetan Administration in North America. Attendees included survivors of the June 4th incident, Fang Zheng, President of the China Democratic Education Foundation, Zhou Fengsuo, Executive Director of “Human Rights in China”, Ginger, spokesperson for the Chinese-speaking Youth Supporting Tibet Association, Kunjo Tashi, Chairman of the Northern California Tibet Association, and more than thirty young Tibetan and Han individuals from the Bay Area and other regions.

Tsultrim Gyatso expressed to Epoch Times that this exchange event holds significant importance in promoting understanding between Tibetans and Hans, hoping that through dialogue, more Chinese people can understand the current situation in Tibet and allow Tibetans to listen to Chinese perspectives on Tibetan issues. This not only helps to dispel misunderstandings but also lays the foundation for future cooperation.

During the conference, Kunjo Tashi, Chairman of the Northern California Tibetan Association, shared that despite the Tibetan population in the Bay Area being only around 5,000, the association, established nearly 35 years ago, has been dedicated to preserving the Tibetan language and culture.

They hold Tibetan language schools weekly, teaching language, music, and culture to counter the gradual disappearance of traditions in Tibet. He emphasized, “We are against the oppressive CCP regime, not the Chinese people.”

Fang Zheng mentioned that he participated in the event with a learning mindset, particularly wanting to observe the understanding and actions of young people towards Tibetan issues. He noted that in the past, many people’s understanding of Tibet came from incorrect or biased propaganda, while true understanding is a prerequisite for fighting for freedom. “We need a free Tibet and more people need to understand the truth.”

Zhou Fengsuo stated that freedom-loving Chinese people and Tibetans belong to the same camp, and the essence of the CCP regime is built on lies and violence, lacking legitimacy and longevity. He emphasized that although fear permeates within China, people are eager to learn the truth, thus overseas advocacy and voices are crucial in helping more Chinese people understand Tibet and the Tibetan struggle.

Ginger also shared her founding of the Chinese-speaking Youth Supporting Tibet Association and its purpose. She stated, “If anyone can be a bridge between Han and Tibetan people, it is myself.” She also mentioned working at a Tibetan school in Qinghai and how it was later closed by the CCP, shifting her from a cultural advocate to a more active political advocate. “The CCP dictatorship is our common enemy.”

She said, “For many Chinese, this may be the first time they have heard the voice of Tibetans. Many Chinese have only recently escaped from China; we share common experiences.” She urged more Tibetans to bravely share their stories.

Several young people from China also shared their experiences and perspectives.

Chinese-born 80s generation Cui Yunxing stated that his previous impression of Tibet was limited to CCP propaganda images, with no knowledge of the oppression faced by Tibetans. Many democracy activists have been divided by the CCP’s “Tibet independence” narrative, hindering true unity against the CCP. He expressed deep concern, asking, “What will China do after the CCP falls?”

Mr. Xu, who lived in Tibetan areas, recalled that local schools had fully switched to using Mandarin, marginalizing the Tibetan language. Many Tibetan children adopted Han names or even identified as Han to avoid scrutiny. He believed that Tibetan language, culture, and identity are gradually disappearing under CCP control, leading to a silent cultural extinction.

Sherry Fang, who flew from San Diego to participate, told Epoch Times that she felt she had “come to the right place.” Although her knowledge of Tibet is limited, she has always supported Tibetans’ pursuit of freedom and democracy. “Being able to hear Tibetans tell their stories in person is a very precious experience for me and makes me think about what Chinese people can do.”

William Luo (pseudonym) from South Bay told Epoch Times that it is usually challenging to get to know the real lives and situations of Tibetans, and this event provided an excellent opportunity. He believed that many people in China struggle to understand Tibetan culture and aspirations, thus, he felt a responsibility to actively learn about Tibetan culture and aspirations.

In the latter part of the meeting, Tibetan and Han youth divided into groups to delve into discussions on language, education, history, and exile experiences, sharing their perspectives and stories. The 4-hour exchange was lively, with many expressing significant benefits and looking forward to more such dialogues in the future. ◇