Jack Churchward
or
Megan Gainer
UCF_SFT
The release of 'National Minorities Policy and Its Practice in China' from
the Information Office of the State Council of the People's Republic of
China (PRC) in September 1999 signals another effort by the Communist
Chinese authorities to whitewash and conceal the true record of minority
policies in the PRC.
The real situation is quite different than the 'guaranteed autonomy' and
'respect for traditional minority cultures' as stated in the White Paper.
In the words of Kalon T.C. Tethong, minister for the Department of
Information and International Relations of the Central Tibetan
Administration, "The white paper is a poor attempt by China to convince the
world that Tibetan and other minorities are well looked after by the
Chinese government and that they enjoy basic human rights. The report is an
attempt to discourage the international community from intervening in
Tibet, as they have done recently in Kosovo and East Timor."
Citizens Against Communist Chinese Propaganda (CACCP) and the University of
Central Florida Students for a Free Tibet Chapter (UCF-SFT), organizers of
the upcoming forum, have noted the link between the message in the White
Paper and certain exhibits at the Chinese government owned and operated
propaganda theme park known as Florida Splendid China. "The Mongolian,
Uighur and Tibetan exhibits at Florida Splendid China are silent reminders
of the Chinese Communist occupations, the White Paper is a vain attempt to
further legitimize their colonialist policies with some pie-in-the-sky,
make-believe scenario," said Jack Churchward, Florida Coordinator for
CACCP.
"The forum will respond to the Chinese Government White Paper and point out
the errors and omissions," Mr. Churchward said, further adding, "we have
invited guests coming from the Tibetan, Mongolian, Uighur and Taiwanese
communities prepared to address these issues in detail and answer any and
all questions. In addition, we have extended an offer to Ambassador Li of
the Chinese Embassy in Washington DC to also attend."
The forum is scheduled for December 17, 1999 from 6-9PM at the University
of Central Florida at the Student Union Hall. Press kits are available,
please call or write to obtain one early.
The White Paper is available online at:
(http://www.china.org.cn/English/WhitePapers/MinoritiesPolicy/)
The Tibetan Government's response is available online at:
(http://www.tibet.com/NewsRoom/diir9.html)
For further information, contact:
***
Jack Churchward
Citizens Against Communist Chinese Propaganda
***
Megan Gainer
UCF-SFT
Citizens Against Communist Chinese Propaganda is a group of dedicated volunteers who are against the inclusion of 'minority' and religious exhibits at the Chinese Communist Party owned and operated Florida Splendid China theme park in Kissimmee, Florida. Specifically, we are protesting the inclusion of the Potala Palace that was built by the Tibetan people and served as the home of successive Dalai Lamas since 1645, the Id Gah Mosque and Tomb of Abakh Hoja which serve as cultural icons of the people of Eastern Turkestan and the Mausoleum of Genghis Khan and the Mongolian Yurt exhibit which attempt to add a Chinese name to the Southern Mongolian people.