News

France and China laid the foundations for a new economic and diplomatic alliance yesterday, with President Jacques Chirac taking Beijing's side against Taiwan and calling for an end to the European embargo on Chinese arms sales.

The 4th World Social Forum was held in the Indian city of Mumbai from Jan 16-21, 2004. About 100,000 people from all over the world participated at this largest gathering of civil society groups.

As part of a stopover at the SMU campus, three of the 10 visiting Gomang Monks participated in a lecture aimed to inform students on the rich Tibetan history, from the very first Dalai Lama to the present-day struggle for freedom.

The Nepalese government has offered fresh assurances to a visiting delegation from the United States Congress that it will hand all Tibetan refugees over to the United Nations refugee agency in future, instead of to the Chinese authorities, RFA's Tibetan service reports.

One lawmaker placed a white gag in his mouth and dozens more stayed away in protest Tuesday as China's leader got the rare honor of addressing parliament, the hallowed home of French democracy.

Australia Tibet Council welcomed today's announcement by Australian gold miner Sino Gold of a halt to activities at their Tibetan exploration site. Sino Gold has until now been pursuing the development of a gold mine at Jinkang in eastern Tibet.

On Tuesday January 26, 2004, the International Campaign for Tibet Europe and Tibet Support Group Netherlands held a vigil to commemorate China's execution of Lobsang Dhondup one year earlier.

As the 2004 Bangkok International Film Festival entered its second week on Monday, a powerful feature length documentary on the political and cultural history of Tibet emerged as a major talking point as much for its obvious political resonances as for its exquisite cinematic qualities.

China and France on Tuesday warned Taiwan against holding a referendum, with French President Jacques Chirac saying that any measure that breeds tension between the two Asian rivals is dangerous.

Melinda Gates visit the hill-top town of Mcleodganj, her tour less than 24 hour private visit to the abode of the Dalai Lama. Melinda, the better half of Bill Gates, made a quiet entry on Monday afternoon