In Retrospect: Reflections on the Second Fact Finding Delegation, sent by His Holiness the Dalai Lama in 1980

Phuntsog Wangyal reflects on the vicissitudes of times dating from what he witnessed during a delegation visit to Tibet in 1980 in a period of relative relaxation through the exile Tibetan government’s 1988 decision to seek autonomy, not independence for Tibet, and to what has come of it thus far, arguing that deception being the fundamental strategy of China, Tibetans should not give up their independence struggle.

"I was a member of the Second Tibet Fact Finding Delegation sent to Tibet by His Holiness the Dalai Lama in 1980. Recently the leader of our delegation, Tenzin Namgyal Tethong, called me to consider writing a postscript about the delegation’s visit to Tibet.

Some 44 years ago in 1980 the delegation visited Tibet. For me that visit to Tibet was the most eventful mission of my life, full of both joy and sadness: joy at the first ever visit to our homeland after 21 years in exile, and sadness at witnessing the nearly total destruction of our country and the suffering of our people. I take this occasion therefore to publish my reflections on that visit so that we can continue to remind ourselves of the suffering of the people in Tibet, their efforts to resist Chinese rule and their spirit of dedicated commitment for the freedom of Tibet."

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