Video: Panel Discussion – Independent Writings in China, Tibet and East Turkistan

Here are three video clips from the panel discussion held on 15 April, the eve of the London Book Fair, where independent scholars warned LBF2012 of being used by the party-state of the PRC as one of the latest outlets for disseminating censored information. Unfortunately, this has proved true by the three-day book fair held at Earl’s Court last week.

1) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ydbsLBFJ9M8

Tibetan scholar Lama Jabb discusses independent writings in Tibet, warning the London Book Fair of being used as an outlet for disseminating censored information. He examines three major themes in contemporary Tibetan literature that have been heavily suppressed by the Chinese censorship: history, colonial experience and identity.

2) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x9gPH8WIl_E

Kaiser Abdurasul, President of the International PEN Uyghur Centre, examines Uyghur writers imprisoned by the Chinese state, criticizing LBF2012 for excluding independent voices. He emphasizes that the current situation in East Turkistan is 'hopeless' and 'helpless'.

3) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m4ykn37ARSM

Tienchi Liao, President of the Independent Chinese PEN Centre (ICPC), criticizes LBF2012 for collaborating with PRC's General Administration of Press and Publication (GAPP), the organization responsible for censoring independent voices in China, Tibet and East Turkistan. She calls for cultural institutions including the British Council to show more integrity and courage.