MB Civic

Royal Albert Hall under fire over Chinese propaganda
———————————————-SFT, UK & TY, UK

London, April 17 – Tibetans and their
supporters will demonstrate today during
the visit of information minister Cai Wu at
the exhibition ‘Tibet through the Lens’. The
exhibition, consisting of a series of
photographs of Tibet, is being displayed at
the Royal Albert Hall in association with
the Chinese government. Given that the
Royal Albert Hall usually takes a non-political stance, its hosting of such an
exhibition comes as a surprise to Students
for a Free Tibet UK and Tibetan Youth UK.

“Photo exhibitions organised by the
Chinese government typically portray
pictures of well-fed, healthy Tibetans in
their traditional garments looking happy
and content. This exhibition is no different,
containing many stunning photographs of
Tibetans in festive clothing undertaking
routine tasks or standing against
picturesque landscapes, such as those on
wall calendars and in the National
Geographic. In reality, Chinese policies in
Tibet marginalise Tibetans in their own
country in all socio-economic fields” said
Karma Chura-Tsang, Director of Tibetan
Youth in the UK.

“The Chinese government uses exhibitions
like this to legitimise their occupation of
Tibet” said Alice Speller of Students for a
Free Tibet UK. “We  are concerned that the
Royal Albert Hall, an important institution
in British society, is being manipulated by
such Chinese propaganda. The exhibition
does not depict the reality of Tibet. It
describes Tibet as “a land of ancient
history, beauty and magic”, but for
Tibetans living inside Tibet it is a land of
destruction, abuse and fear.”

The exhibition contains many photographs
of Tibetans with computers, mobile phones
and radios in a blatant attempt to prove
China is developing Tibet. There are several
photographs of Tibetan children in school.
In 2004, the UN Special Rapporteur on
Education reported an illiteracy rate of
almost 40 percent in Tibet. Contrary to the
Chinese Government’s claim that
compulsory primary education is free of
charge, even primary education in Tibet
costs up to 6,000 yuan a year (when the
average yearly income for Tibetans is
approximately 784 yuan). In addition,
Tibetans must undertake their entrance
exams to secondary level in Chinese
language, not Tibetan. A poor educational
background decreases access to urban and
skilled employment.

Tibetans tend to be disproportionately
represented among the poor and are
affected by increases in poverty and
inequality.

“In light of the Olympics being held in
Beijing next year, the Chinese government
are organizing and encouraging such
exhibitions as part of their ‘charm
offensive’, but their propaganda efforts will
ultimately fail. The truth about China’s
injustices in Tibet are indisputable and the
movement for Tibetan independence and
freedom is stronger now than ever before.”
Karma Chura-Tsang of Tibet Youth UK
added.

Tibetan Youth UK and Students for a Free
Tibet sent a joint letter to the director of
Royal Albert Hall. They have not received a
reply.