Phuntsok Wangyal, a Tibetan Communist Passed Away in Beijing. 

International Campaign for Tibet, March 30, 2014

The most prominent Tibetan Communist Phuntsok Wangyal Goranangpa was passed away in Beijing on March 30, 2014 at the age of 92. He was a formidable figure in modern Tibetan history, even while aligning himself with the Chinese government, was vocal in urging it to change its Tibet policy. He submitted open letters to Chinese leaders, including Hu Jintao, calling for a review of their attitude towards the Dalai Lama saying that if the Dalai Lama continued to remain in exile, it would lead to a worsening of tensions in Tibet.

Phuntsog Wangyal Goranangpa worked tirelessly, at great personal risk, to achieve a socialist Tibet that would encompass all Tibetans in Kham, Amdo, U-tsang and would be ruled by Tibetan, through his own Tibetan Communist Party and then through the Chinese Communist Party, in which he was the leading Tibetan cadre in Tibet from 1951 to 1958. His involvement with the Chinese Communist resulted in Tibetans regarding him negatively. At the same time, he did not gain the trust of the Chinese authorities eventually resulting in his imprisonment for 18 years.

Later stage, he began devoting himself wholly to academic research and writing. His latest book was published in India in 2013; he has said the Dalai Lama should be allowed to return to Tibet, as he would be a stabilizing force.