1979 - Chinese leader Deng Xiaoping invites Gyalo Thondup, elder brother of the Dalai Lama, and tells him that apart from the issue of total independence all other issues can be discussed and resolved.
August 5, 1979 - First fact-finding delegation of the Tibetan Government-in-Exile, led by Kalon Juchen Thubten Namgyal, begins tour of Tibet.

1980

May 1,1980 - Second fact-finding delegation from thc Tibetan Government-in-Exile, led by Tenzin N. Tethong, begins tour of Tibet.
July 1, 1980 - Third fact-finding delegation from the Tibetan Government-in-Exile, led by Mrs. Jetsun Pema, begins tour of Tibet.

1981

March 13, 1981 - The Dalai Lama states in a letter to Deng Xiaoping that the three fact-finding missions found "sad conditions" in Tibet and therefore "genuine efforts must be made to solve the problem in accordance with the existing realities in a reasonable way."

1982

April 24, 1982 - A high level Tibetan delegation arrives in Beijing to hold exploratory talks with Chinese officials. The delegation, composed of P.T. Taklha, Juchen Thubten Namgyal, and Lodi Gyari, made no substantive headway.

1984

OOctober 19, 1984 - The three-member exploratory delegation holds a second round of talks with Chinese leaders. Again, no progress toward substantive negotiations are made.

1985

Fourth fact-finding delegation from the exile Tibetan government leaves for Tibet, led by W.D. Kundeling.
July 24. 1985 - 91 Members of the US Congress sign a letter, urging Chinese President Li Nianian to initiate talk between China and the Tibetan Government-in-Exile.

1987

September 21, 1987 - The Dalai Lama presents a Five-Point Peace Plan on solving the Tibetan problem, to the US Congress The plan includes a call for commencement of earnest negotiations on the future status of Tibet.
December 22, 1987 - The United State5 Foreign Relations Authorization Act declares that the US "should urge the Government of China to actively reciprocate the Dalai Lama's efforts to establish a constructive dialogue on the future of Tibet."

1988

June 15, 1988 - The Dalai Lama presents his Strasbourg Proposal as a framework for a negotiated solution to the Tibetan problem, at the European Parliament. He also mentioned that a negotiating team is ready to meet with the Chinese side on the basis of Deng Xiaoping's statements.
Sept. 21, 998 - China responds indirectly to the Strasbourg proposal with an offer to talk: In a press statement, the Chinese side says: 'We welcome the Dalai Lama to have talks with the central government at any time, and talks may be held in Beijing. Hong Kong or any of our embassies or consulates abroad. If the Dalai Lama finds it inconvenient to conduct talks at these places. He may choose any place he wishes.' The offer makes the talks conditional on the Dalai Lama "drop[ping] the idea of an independent Tibet."
Sept.23, l998 - Tibetan representatives convey the following response to the Sept.21 Chinese message: "We welcome China's positive response to His Holiness the Dalai Lama's call for talks on the Tibetan issue We similarly welcome their leaving the choice of the venue for the talks to us We would like the talks to be held in Geneva. Switzerland which is the host convenient and neutral venue. We would also like the first round of talks to be held in January".

1989

January, 1989 - China backs out of the -proposed talks.
April 20,1989 - the Tibetan Government-in-Exile announces that "His Holiness the Dalai Lama is prepared to send representatives to Hong Kong at any time" to meet with Chinese representative in order to resolve any procedural issue with regard to starting negotiations.
March 15, 1989 - US Senate Resolution 82 calls upon the Chinese government to "meet with representatives of the Dalai Lama to begin initiating constructive dialogue on the future of Tibet."

1991

October 9, 1991 - In an address at Yale University, the Dalai Lama appeals to the world for support in pressuring China to allow him to return to Tibet on a short trip. He states that he is ready to go "as soon as possible."
October 10, 1991 - The Chinese Foreign Ministry imposes the following conditions before he can return to Tibet: "The most important thing is that the Dalai Lama stop his activities aimed at splitting China and undermining the unity of its nationalities, and abandon his position on Tibetan independence."

1992

June 22, 1992 - Ding Guangen, head of the United Front Department of the CCP Central Committee, meets Gyalo Thondup and reiterates their 1979 statement that they are willing to discuss any issue with the Tibetans except total independence.

1993

May 28,1993 - White House report to Congress on MEN extension lists "[s]eeking to resume dialogue with the Dalai Lama or his representatives" as favourable step China should take to ensure MEN renewal.

1994

April 28.1994 - The Dalai Lama meets with President Clinton and Vice President Gore in the White House. The White House press release states that President Clinton met the Dalai Lama "to inquire about efforts to initiate a dialogue with the Chinese leadership" among other topics. It also says: "The United States continues to urge high level talks between the Chinese government and the Dalai Lama."

1995

November, 1995 - China tries to usurp the right to choose the next incarnation of the important Tibetan religious figure, the Panchen Lama. Relations between Beijing and Dharamsala plummet.

1997

July, 1997 - The Clinton Administration announces its intention to establish a new position in the Department of State to coordinate Tibetan Affairs. A central objective of the position is to promote dialogue to resolve the issue of Tibet.
October, 1997 - During the Sino American Summit iii Washington., President Clinton presses Chinese President Jiang Zemin in to initiate talks with the 1)alai Lama. The Tibetan problem emerges as one of the top issues that the American people identify with Sino-US relations.
October 3 I, 1997 - Mr. Greg Craig is appointed the Special Coordinator for Tibetan Issue at the US Department of State.

1998

April 30, 1998 - Secretary of State Madeleine Albright makes it clear to President Jiang Zemin that Tibet is a high priority of the U.S. government for the June Summit in Beijing. "What we urge is a dialogue with the Dalai Lama," Albright told a news conference after her meeting.
June 27 - US President Bill Clinton urges Jiang Zemin to open talks with the Dalai Lama at a press conference ii) Beijing. Televised live throughout China Jiang Zemin admits to the existence of unofficial channels of communication and says "door to negotiation is open"

Tibetan Bulletin, October-December 1998

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Last updated: 2-Dec-98