Tibet Book Launch - "Beyond Propaganda: Proof of Tibet’s Historical Sovereignty from Chinese Sources"

You are invited to attend Beyond Propaganda: Proof of Tibet’s Historical Sovereignty, a discussion taking place on Thursday, January 29, 2026, from 10:30 AM to 12:30 PM ET at the National Endowment for Democracy in Washington, D.C. Convened at a pivotal moment for religious freedom, historical truth, and the future of Tibet, the event will also mark the official launch of Professor Hon-Shiang Lau’s new book, Tibet was Never Part of China since Antiquity, published by Optimum Publishing International.

This event is situated in the wake of the Dalai Lama’s 90th birthday in July, a milestone that has intensified global attention on the question of his succession and its attendant effects on the Tibetan freedom struggle. Against this backdrop, the event will examine Tibet’s historical status and the broader implications for the right of Tibetan Buddhists to determine their own future, free from external interference.

Professor Lau’s recently published book presents groundbreaking research establishing Tibet’s status as a historically distinct and independent nation. Drawing exclusively on Chinese historical sources, the work directly challenges longstanding claims advanced by Beijing, restores historical truth in the face of systematic revisionism, and provides critical insights for policymakers, human rights advocates, scholars, and the broader public. Spanning more than 1,200 pages, the research represents one of the most comprehensive scholarly efforts to date to rebut false narratives about Tibet’s past.

The conversation will explore the Chinese Communist Party’s efforts to rewrite Tibetan history and undermine Tibet’s historical independence. Featured speakers include Penpa Tsering, Sikyong (President) of the Central Tibetan Administration; Professor Hon Shiang Lau, formerly of the City University of Hong Kong; Sam Brownback, former U.S. Ambassador-at-Large for International Religious Freedom; and James Maloney, Member of Parliament in Canada.

The discussion comes at a critical moment following recent bipartisan Congressional action affirming support for Tibet, most notably the passage of the Resolve Tibet Act. The legislation strengthens U.S. efforts to counter the Chinese Communist Party’s false historical claims about Tibet, affirms the right of the Tibetan people to determine their own leaders, including the next Dalai Lama, and clarifies that Tibet encompasses not only the Tibet Autonomous Region, but also Tibetan-populated areas in surrounding provinces.

Registration is required.