“Today’s China is very different compared to the China of 30-40 years ago. It has changed. There is a new reality and the leaders have to react to that new reality. Totalitarian system is ending. China has to follow the world trend of democracy and rule of law. Individual leaders may be more open-minded but the system is restrictive,” said the 14th Dalai Lama on the sidelines of an event held by the Humane Society International (HSI) and Pritish Nandy Communications to mark yesterday as World Compassion Day.

Preaching mercy: The Dalai Lama. Pics/Pradeep Dhivar