China -¿is there someone who doesn't know?- It is one of the cultures, of the oldest civilizations, sophisticated and even exquisite of Humanity. You can't understand our world, the best of what humanity has achieved, in art, music, poetry, architecture, industry, cine, gastronomy, science and technology, without the contributions of his people (their towns, who are much more than most he). She further , It is already the most influential power, in this 21st century.

Throughout this week, The Confucius Institute of the University of Valencia has celebrated the sixth anniversary of its foundation with a great display of activities: in addition to the inauguration of its magnificent new headquarters on the Tarongers campus, performances by Chinese university dance groups have been organized, painting and photography exhibitions by renowned artists, conferences and ceremonies, which will culminate with a Mediterranean night of Chinese culture, at the Faculty of Philology, on thursday 28, and a conference and exhibition at the October Foundation on Friday 29.

The University of Valencia thus supports its Confucius Institute with legitimate pride, which in this short period of time has managed to establish itself as one of the most brilliant in the entire world. An essential instrument for mutual knowledge and for the improvement of relations of all kinds between China and Spain and, more specifically, between China and the Valencians.

Indeed, Mutual knowledge is the necessary condition for positive relationships, to follow the path of cooperation and development. But provided that knowledge is not replaced by propaganda, which is certainly difficult to avoid. And there perhaps a Chinese woman appears in the shoe of the Confucius Institute and even of the University of Valencia itself.. Because there are other aspects of China (like from Spain), another china, that of his government regime, what you need to know, although the Confucius Institute is not very interested in it. The problems suffered by the Iughur people, religious minorities (Falun Gong, For example), or the situation in Tibet are just some examples. problems of which, evidently, The Government of China does not want to talk. Son, according to its official doctrine, “internal affairs”. A classic allegation that conflicts with the principle of universal jurisdiction of human rights (that the Spanish Government itself arbitrarily administers).

Well then, It turns out that on the same days 28 and 29 In November, an international conference was scheduled to be held Tibet, forgotten conflict, organized by another institution of the University of Valencia, the Human Rights Institute (IDH), whose creation is consistent with the UN mandate on culture and the teaching of human rights and with the statutory commitment of the University of Valencia itself in this regard.. And that seems to bother.

For example, the Spanish embassy in India, has denied a visa to the monk Palden Gyatso, who lives in exile in India and who is a witness in the process before the National Court whose legal initiative has come from J. E. been, lawyer and professor of the IDH, and co-organizer of the congress with Professor Ramón, who directed her thesis on Tibet and is today the director of the Institute. Gyatso will not be able to participate in the Congress or travel to Madrid. The problem is that he is diabetic and according to the embassy he has not taken out sufficient medical insurance. (is that the embassy looks after your health, Of course).

She further , The IDH did not find any facility on the part of the University of Valencia to hold the Congress in a sufficiently large and central location.. And it was only very late and after countless efforts that support was obtained for its dissemination., in contrast to another, Of course they do not touch on “sensitive topics”. It seems that this critical view of the Chinese Government, about what many of us consider a genocidal action in Tibet, it is not appropriate. Better to forget, like until now.

However, even with those absences and difficulties, the congress was held. Because there are many people - more than our prudent and realistic institutional leaders believe.- who does not want to give up on the University being a space for critical knowledge, open debate, which should never be replaced by propaganda. Because there are many who think –we think- that these crimes against humanity (in Tibet or the Central African Republic or wherever) They do not prescribe and should not be forgotten. And because so, relations with the extraordinary Chinese people will be based on better mutual understanding.