THE HAGUE – The Netherlands is not powerless when it comes to China. That was the core message from Tibetan President Penpa Tsering, who addressed the Dutch House of Representatives on Thursday, November 5, 2026. As a major producer of computer chips and a gateway to the European market for Chinese goods, the Netherlands possesses far more leverage than it realizes.
Tibet continues to suffer severely under Chinese occupation. The Cental Tibetan Administration (CTA) operates in exile from India and is commonly referred to as the Tibetan Government in Exile.
The Sikyong (President) visited the Netherlands for the 6th Summit of the Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China (IPAC), which convened in The Hague. The conference brought together 52 lawmakers from 30 countries across six continents to discuss coordinated responses to the challenges posed by the People’s Republic of China.
In his keynote to the conference Sikyong called on parliamentarians to develop a more accurate understanding of Tibet’s historical and political status.
In parliament on Thursday he urged Dutch policymakers for continued, robust support for the Tibetan cause. Specifically, the Sikyong called on the Dutch government to urge Beijing to engage in meaningful dialogue with Tibetan envoys.
“We do not expect America, NATO, or India to fight on our behalf. The solution must come from within China; that is the reality. Our right to self-determination must be addressed under international law.”
While Tsering expressed gratitude for the support shown by Dutch politicians, he noted with concern that, in practice, economic considerations often take precedence over human rights—and the Tibetan people’s right to self-determination. “In Europe, business interests frequently tip the scales.”
Sikyong emphasized that the Netherlands remains a significant geopolitical player: “The Netherlands serves as the gateway to Europe for a vast quantity of Chinese products.”
He continued: “At present, China needs Europe more than the other way around. While China may be strengthening ties with the Global South, the bulk of purchasing power remains in the US and Europe. Europa moet deze invloed benutten in zijn betrekkingen met China.”
Tsering also delivered a stark warning regarding broader global security. While, Russia remains Europe’s primary immediate concern, the Russian regime would be unsustainable without China’s backing. Today, Russia is Europe’s primary concern. “The Dutch need to understand that China—not Russia—is the long-term challenge. Stop feeding the dragon.”
He stressed that the appointment of an EU Special Representative for Tibet would help the EU to institutionally coordinate efforts on Tibet and could further serve as a template for similar coordinating mandates on other China-related files.
China maintains the position that foreign entities should not interfere in “China’s internal affairs.” Tsering rejected this premise: “Tibet is not an internal affair. No matter which history book you consult, Tibet has always been an independent country.”
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