‘Unlocking Tibet‘ Acknowledgement

(Translated by Tashi Rabgey & Tseten Wangchuk)

 

Acknowledgement

 

 

This book is a product of my collaboration with the Tibetan woman writer Woeser. The first part of the book, Narrating Voiceless Tibet, is a collection of Woeser’s poems and essays. The second part, In Search of Tibet’s Key, is a collection of my articles. It could be said this book is our destiny.  In the course of its writing, Woeser became my dear wife and I became the “son in-law” of the Tibetan people. Most of the essays in the book are the result of our mutual inspiration. Woeser draws my heart to the spirit of the Tibetan people. She also makes me hope even more that the Tibetan and Chinese people can bridge the gulf that separates them.  Our collaboration on this book represents a symbol – that the final resolution of the Tibetan issue requires the commitment of both the Tibetan and Chinese people.

 

The publication of this book was made possible largely through the efforts and support of Tibetan friends in Switzerland. Ms. Jessica Noble from Canada facilitated the bulk of the translation and also provided financial assistance. Dr. Luigi Amadio of Italy generously provided the funds for the early stages of publication. Without their support, this book would not have met with readers.  I cannot express through words the extent of my gratitude for their efforts.

 

Thanks to Mr. Lodi Gyari, the Special Envoy of the Dalai Lama.  Through his considerable efforts, I was given the opportunity to meet and have a conversation with the Dalai Lama.  Mr.Tseten Wangchuk’s Tibetan-Chinese interpretation and other assistance were also invaluable.

 

Thanks to Ms. Susan Chen, who on very short notice, provided outstanding translations for several of the major essays, enabling the book to be published in a timely manner.

 

I would like to extend special thanks to Ms. Bertha Sneck, an eighty-five year old American expatriate in Beijing, for giving up nearly half a year to translate the most difficult article, A Successive Multilevel Electoral System. Without her excellent work, I cannot imagine this article ever entering a language other than Chinese.

 

Thanks to Mr. Liu Xiaoyuan of Iowa State University.  He not only provided outstanding translations for several of the essays, he also patiently helped me resolve many detailed questions encountered in the course of publishing this book.                     

 

Thanks to Bhuchung Tsering and Tashi Rabgey for providing assistance on aspects of the translation.  Thanks to Mr. Nyima Dhondup from India for helping in the design of the book. I would also like to thank Dolkar and Tenzin Tsundue, who are mentioned in Woeser’s dedication.  Without their contribution, this soul of this book would have been missing.

 

Thanks to Professor Barry Sautman of Hong Kong University of Science and Technology for translating my article, ‘Indirect Representation versus a Democratic System: Relative Advantages for Resolving the Tibet Question,’ originally published in Contemporary Tibet: Politics, Development and Society in a Disputed Region, co-edited by him and June Dreyer.  Thanks also to M.E. Sharpe Publishers for granting permission to reprint the article in this volume.

 

Thanks to Dr. Carma Hinton and Dr. Lin Meng for proofreading and enhancing the English text.

 

There are also a number of individuals who cannot be named here, but who provided invaluable assistance in many ways.  Let me thank them altogether here.  I deeply regret that I cannot mention their names, but I will always remember their kindness. 

 

 

Wang Lixiong

 

Beijing

March 10, 2005

 

 

(Translated by Tashi Rabgey & Tseten Wangchuk)