Minister Chope Paljor Tsering

Tibetan Cabinet Minister

April 22, 2008

"Address to the National Press Club"

Mr Chope Paljor Tsering  was sworn in as  a Tibetan Cabinet minister last year .

With the recent reports of turmoil in Tibet and the disruption and the international  protests  surrounding the Olympic Torch relay, it is timely that this senior cabinet minister visiting Australia put his government views on the issues with China and Tibet.

Mr Chope Paljor Tsering was appointed as deputy secretary in October 1973. From June 1977, he served in the Office of Tibet in Nepal and later in the Department of Education from June 1982. He also served as an education officer in Nepal from January 1985, and as the representative of His Holiness the Dalai Lama in the Office of Tibet in Nepal from May 1986. Later, he served as representative in the Office of Tibet in East Europe from September 1991, and was promoted to additional secretary in April 1994. In April 1997, he was promoted to secretary and later served in the Office of Tibet in Australia from April 1998. From December 2002, he served as representative in the Office of Tibet in Tokyo for East Asia. He retired from service in May 2007.