26-28 August 2014
Hamburg, Germany

We, the Chinese conference attendees, comprised of writers, democracy activists, human rights lawyers from Europe, North America, Australia, Hong Kong and Mainland China participated in “Finding Common Ground”, a Sino-Tibetan conference held in Hamburg, Germany.
We had the opportunity to listen to a keynote address by His Holiness the Dalai Lama and exchanged views on the issue of Tibet with Tibetan political leader Dr. Lobsang Sangay, Ms. Dicki Chhoyang, Kalon for the Department of Information & International Relations and Mr. Kelsang Gyaltsen, the Special Representative of His Holiness the Dalai Lama in Europe. We had in-depth discussions on the preservation of Tibetan religion and culture, human rights, environment, and the forced resettlement of Tibetan nomads. Through these exchanges, our doubts about the Middle Way Approach of the Central Tibetan Administration have also been cleared.
Since the last Sino-Tibetan conference ‘Finding Common Ground’ held in Geneva in 2009, the human rights situation inside Tibet has not improved, but deteriorated. As a result of the Chinese government’s continued assault on the Tibetan language, religion, culture and environment, at least 130 Tibetans have self-immolated in protest. The Chinese government’s relentless denunciation of the Tibetan people’s most revered leader, His Holiness the Dalai Lama, political repression, religious persecution and economic marginalization in Tibet continue unabated.
The Middle Way Approach is a reflection of His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s great compassion and wisdom. Not only is the Middle Way Approach a rational, peaceful and non-violent means for Tibetans to achieve freedom, it is also a new approach to conflict resolution. The Middle Way Approach is a legacy of His Holiness the Dalai Lama which is a significant contribution to political diplomacy.
Therefore, based on an in-depth understanding of the Middle Way Approach, we, the Chinese participants of the 2014 ‘Finding Common Ground’ Sino-Tibetan Conference, unanimously agreed upon the following:
1. The Middle Way Approach proposed by His Holiness the Dalai Lama brings not only reconciliation between the Tibetan and Chinese people, but also benefits the Tibetan people’s efforts to restore freedom through peace and non-violence.
2. The Middle Way Approach is a win-win proposition for both Tibetans and Chinese.
3. The Middle Way Approach can contribute significantly to a peaceful transformation of China into a democratic State.
4. A democratic China is beneficial for the peaceful resolution of the Tibet issue.
5. It is imperative for the Chinese people to understand the Tibet issue and the Middle Way Approach. We, the Chinese conference participants, resolve to make tireless efforts in this regard.
Hamburg
28 August 2014