Thaindian News

New Delhi, Oct 29 (IANS) Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama Friday compared the Nobel Peace Prize to Chinese imprisoned dissident leader Liu Xiaobo with the one he received in 1989, stating that it was in recognition for work for a “better China”.

In an interview to international television network, CNN, he said that Liu was dedicated to the cause of a “better China”, which is not looking at just economic prosperity but “for freedom of the individual”.

“….at that time (1989) I also expressed this Nobel Prize is somehow in recognition for my work promoting compassion and non-violence and these things. So, similarly when Liu Xiaobo, he is really dedicated for a better China, not material field, but for freedom of the individual,” said the Dalai Lama.

He pointed out that without “individual freedom you cannot utilise human creativity, without that it is difficult to grow in cultural or spiritual, in many fields, therefore he is a spirit or figure head”.

The Dalai Lama described Liu as one of the “keepers” of a “number of people in China who really want more openness, more transparent, without restriction, without censorship”.

“Therefore when he (Liu Xiaobao) started charter in 2008, I immediately wanted that to become known to news, I immediately supported that, so when he received his Nobel Peace Prize, this is a recognition of his good work, so everybody has to support him,” he said.

The Dalai Lama also reiterated a call for the release of Liu Xiabao. “Some Nobel laureates they jointly ask for his release, so I also one of them, wanted that, joined that with Bishop Tutu and other Nobel laureates,” he said.