The president of China, Xi Jinping, has made a surprising and unprecedented gesture of apology to the Tibetan Buddhists, whom he has oppressed and persecuted for decades. Xi, who is also the general secretary of the Communist Party of China, said he was deeply sorry for his actions and policies that have violated the human rights and religious freedom of the Tibetan people.
Xi, who visited Tibet for the first time in his 11-year rule, said he was moved by the culture, history, and spirituality of the Tibetans. He said he realized that his government’s attempts to assimilate and sinicize the Tibetans were wrong and harmful. He said he wanted to make amends and restore the trust and harmony between the Chinese and the Tibetans.
Xi’s apology has been welcomed by the Dalai Lama, the spiritual leader of the Tibetan Buddhists, who has been living in exile in India since 1959. The Dalai Lama said he was happy and hopeful that Xi’s apology would mark a new era of dialogue and cooperation between the two sides. He said he was willing to forgive Xi and return to Tibet, if Xi would respect the autonomy and identity of the Tibetans.
However, Xi’s apology has also been met with skepticism and suspicion by some observers and activists, who have questioned the sincerity and motives of Xi. They have argued that Xi’s apology is a political stunt and a propaganda tool, aimed at improving his image and legitimacy in the international arena. They have also warned that Xi’s apology does not mean that he will stop his repression and interference in Tibet, and that the Tibetans should remain vigilant and cautious.