A Questionable Exhibition of Tibet's Past and Present
6/4/2009 3:20:36 PM
Melbourne's Town Hall has hosted an exhibition that was said to be depicting Tibet's past and present. Reportedly funded by China's communist government, the exhibition has received criticism from the Australia Tibet Council, and Tibetan community members, for being a gross misrepresentation of the true situation in Tibet.
[Tenzin Lobsang, Tibetan International Student]:
"Tibetans are suffering in Tibet, so that's what we are here, to tell the people that what Chinese people are showing, is not fact. The fact is, Tibetan people are not happy, and are still suffering under Chinese rule."
The same exhibition was cancelled in Australia's capital Canberra, following complaints to the venue.
But this time around, the Melbourne Town Hall was said to be booked under false pretences by a Chinese-Australian businessman, acting as a proxy for the Consulate General of the People's Republic of China. Australia Tibet Council secretary, Rob Perry was at the Town Hall during the exhibition.
[Rob Perry, Australia Tibet Council Secretary]:
"Through tricking and hoodwinking their way into the Town Hall, they've staged this event under the premise that it is the view held by the Victorian municipality, the Lord Mayor, and the people of Victoria...It's quite in keeping with the behavior of the Chinese government."
NTD was denied access to the public exhibition, and venue management declined an invitation to make a comment.
Robert Apicella, NTD Melbourne Australia.
