Central Tibetan Administration (CTA)
October 8, 2010

I would like to offer my heart-felt
congratulations to Mr. Liu Xiaobo for being
awarded this year’s Nobel Peace Prize.

Awarding the Peace Prize to him is the
international community’s recognition of the
increasing voices among the Chinese people in
pushing China towards political, legal and constitutional reforms.

I have been personally moved as well as
encouraged by the efforts of hundreds of Chinese
intellectuals and concerned citizens, including
Mr. Liu Xiaobo in signing the Charter 08, which
calls for democracy and freedom in China. I
expressed my admiration in a public statement on
12 December 2008, two days after it was released
and while I was on a visit to Poland. I believe
in the years ahead, future generations of Chinese
will be able to enjoy the fruits of the efforts
that the current Chinese citizens are making towards responsible governance.

I believe that Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao’s
recent comments on freedom of speech being
indispensable for any country and people’s wish
for democracy and freedom being irresistible are
a reflection of the growing yearning for a more
open China. Such reforms can only lead to a
harmonious, stable and prosperous China, which
can contribute greatly to a more peaceful world.

I would like to take this opportunity to renew my
call to the government of China to release Mr.
Liu Xiaobo and other prisoners of conscience who
have been imprisoned for exercising their freedom of expression.

The Dalai Lama
October 8, 2010