The Tibet Insight News
TAR NEWS
TAR People's Government convenes meeting
September 13, 2017
The Chairman of Lhasa Municipality, Tibet Autonomous Region (TAR) UFWD and TAR People's Government, Choedak (Ch: Qi Zala) presided over the Executive Meeting of TAR People's Government on September 13, 2017 to primarily discuss economic policies for the 13 th Five-Year Plan Period. It was agreed to establish a “Lhasa Comprehensive Bonded Area” after getting a nod from the State Council. Research on Tibetan medicines, development of the information and technology industry and other matters were discussed at the meeting.
The meeting iterated that the “CCP Central Committee attaches great importance to Tibet and as such, a number of developmental policies are being formulated to develop and serve people of all ethnic groups.” Choedak urged officials at all departmental levels to firmly adhere to the law of the CCP Central Committee.
Explaining the importance of the proposed “Lhasa Comprehensive Bonded Area”, Choedak said Lhasa is the link to opening South Asia and expanding it would be of great significance in all aspects. The Lhasa National Economic and Technology Development Zone has the basic conditions required to facilitate a Comprehensive Free Trade Zone. He directed departments at all levels to speed up decision making in industrial and development projects and to look for possibilities regional economic cooperation in South Asia. He also stressed the importance of Tibetan medicine and its importance in developing institutional mechanisms.
Us College Penalised For Inviting Dalai Lama
The China Scholarship Council (CSC), a branch of the PRC government that funds overseas study for Chinese citizens, has informed the University of California San Diego (UCSD) that it would no longer process applications to study at UCSD for scholars who had not already received a visa appointment from the US embassy. The action is consequent to the UCSD hosting the Dalai Lama in June to speak at its school-wide commencement ceremony for the 2016-2017 academic year. A spokesperson for UCSD issued the following statement: "UC San Diego has learned, unofficially, that the China Scholarship Council under the PRC Ministry of Education has apparently issued instructions that CSC-funded visiting scholars who do not yet have visas will not be allowed to study at UC San Diego. UC San Diego was not notified of this directly by the China Scholarship Council, and we are presently making inquiries to determine if this is the case."
(Comment: China's action escalates Beijing's retaliatory actions against the Dalai Lama. The application freeze does not bar undergraduates, graduate students, or other academics from attending UCSD-it merely prevents scholars from obtaining CSC funding to do so. As a result, these specific measures alone will likely do little to curb the school's influx of Chinese students. In the fall of 2015, Chinese students made up 10.6% of UCSD's student population and 55.7% of its international student population. China's retaliatory action highlights that if universities ignore Beijing's advice and invite speakers espousing views that the Party tries to suppress, Beijing will attempt to discourage academic exchanges with such schools.)
Religious Infiltration
In an article in the CCP mouthpiece People's Daily on September 12, 2017, Wang Zuoan, Director of the State Administration for Religious Affairs (SARA), commented on the new rules regarding religion and said, “the foreign use of religion to infiltrate (China) intensifies by the day and religious extremist thought is spreading in some areas.” He said, “Issues with religion on the internet are starting to break out ... and illegal religious gatherings in some places continue despite bans.” He added that while freedom of religious faith is protected by the new rules, “At the same time, freedom of religious faith is not equal to religious activities taking place without legal restrictions.” Religion in China, he said, needed to be “Sinicized” and that “These rules will help maintain the sinicization of religion in our country ... and keep to the correct path of adapting religion to a socialist society.”
(Comment: Earlier this June, he had written in the Party theoretical journal Qiu Shi that Party members must be “firm Marxist atheists, obey party rules and stick to the party's faith” and that those who did not adhere to the Party's regulations regarding religion would be punished.)
New Regulations On Religion
The PRC State Council promulgated the 77-article, 2017 Religious Affairs Regulation (RAR) on August 28, 2017, which will come into force on February 1, 2018. According to a Reuter's report of September 7, 2017, the new regulations “use strong and specific language about the need to protect China's national security against threats from religious groups.” For example, Articles 3 and 4 state:
"The management of religious affairs upholds the principles of protecting what is lawful, prohibiting what is unlawful, suppressing extremism, resisting infiltration, and fighting crime…
…Religion must not be used by any individual or organization to engage in activities that endanger national security, disrupt public order, impair the health of citizens or obstruct the State educational system, as well as other activities that harm State or societal public interests, or citizens' lawful rights and interests, and other such illegal activities.
Article 4 reaffirms that religious groups must demonstrate loyalty to China and couple religious practice with anti-state activities, practice the core socialist values; and preserve the unification of the country, ethnic unity, religious harmony and social stability…
On the 6 th of September government leaders from the five officially approved religions held a conference in Beijing on “Chinese culture and religious sinicization” when they agreed that “the direction of religions is to integrate them with Chinese culture,” including in terms of doctrine and culture.
Ngari Regional Commission for Discipline Inspection Committee Conducts Inspection
September 04, 2017
On September 4, the TAR Commission for Discipline Inspection's Organization Committee tested some regional party organs, agencies and inspectors in Ali on their knowledge of the Party. Sherab Gyaltso, Member of the Regional Party Committee and official in charge of Party Discipline emphasized that the purpose of the test is to get Party cadres and the people to conscientiously learn the Party Constitution and especially its discipline and regulations. . The test was on "the Communist Party of China Constitution, Chinese Communist Party Disciplinary Regulations, the Chinese Communist Party discipline inspection organs and their supervision, and the Communist Party of China Accountability Ordinance ". Its purpose was to assess the Party cadres' knowledge of China's Constitution and Rules and Regulations and evaluate the overall quality and operational level of supervision in order to make ‘solid' progress in the work of anti-corruption and building a clean government.
Panchen Lama in Chamdo for a study tour and Buddhist activities
7 September 2017
On September 2, the Panchen Lama held talks with the representatives of various ethnic groups in Chamdo. He talked about economic and social development and the well being of the people under the leadership of the Party. He said he deeply feels that ‘the core of the Central Committee' and comrades had wisely ruled the people by giving them religious freedom and a happy life.
The Panchen Lama said that national unity and social stability is the lifeline of all walks of life. Only unity and stability can provide a peaceful life for the masses. He hoped that all ethnic groups of Chamdo could work toward national unity and social stability. He hoped too that the Chamdo region would continue to implement the central policy and serve the masses so that people of all ethnic groups can profoundly appreciate the Party's concern. .
During his visit, he also visited the old town of Chamdo and Chamdo City Museum.
Ngari Regional Committee welcomes 19 th Party Congress
September 06, 2017
The Ngari Regional Committee held a conference on September 5, to promote propaganda work at the regional level and welcome the 19 th Party Congress. The Deputy Secretary of the District Committee, Zhang Huiming, Propaganda Minister Suonan Dan and County Party Secretary Gao Baoman and other leading members of the Party Propaganda work group attended the meeting.
At the meeting, Zhang Huiming, a member of the regional committee made an important speech on behalf of the local government in which he stressed that the meeting gave top priority to the promotion of the party's propaganda work. He also stressed that the regional party should strongly hold to the “Four Works”: a clear-cut idea of politics; following propaganda; practicing the instructions of General Secretary Xi Jinping; and adhering to ideological leadership
The meeting highlighted the theme of the "Celebrating the Victory of the Nineteenth Party Congress" to promote the “seven aspects” which include ideology, propaganda and network management.
Meeting with Armed Police Command in Lhasa
September 11, 2017
Chairman of TAR United Front Work Department (UFWD), Lhasa Municipality and Deputy Secretary of TAR Party Committee Choedak/Chedak (Ch: Qi Zhala) called a meeting with Xu Ping, Commander of Armed Police Forest Command in Lhasa. The Vice Chairman of the TAR People's Government, Meijin Zeng, accompanied the Chairman.
After expressing greetings on behalf of the TAR Party Secretary Wu Yingjie and TAR Party Committee, he said that under the guidance and ‘core leadership' of Xi Jinping, the TAR Party Committee has thoroughly implemented the spirit of the Sixth Tibet Work Symposium as well as the new ideas and speeches of the General Secretary with regard to maintaining social stability, promoting economic development and consolidating national unity. He pointed out that the Armed Police Forces have “always defended Tibetan national security bearing hardships at all times” and emphasized that the TAR Party Committee and People's Government will continue to strengthen the development of the armed forces. Publicity, education and culture will mobilize the active participation of all ethnic groups in society to create a welcoming atmosphere for the 19th Congress. The meeting demanded that the various units and departments of Ngari region embrace the welcoming atmosphere of the Nineteenth National Congress as their primary political task ensures stability in Tibet.
Huge fund invested for Poverty Alleviation Programs
September 10, 2017
China's official news agency Xinhua reported on September 8, that the TAR had expended more than 20.8 billion yuan for poverty alleviation, mainly in the field of industrial development, infrastructure construction, and ecological subsidies. By utilizing these funds, the TAR's financial department plans to pull 130,000 people across 25 poor counties out of poverty this year.
Wu Yingjie visit s farmers in Qushui County
4 September, 2017
On September 3, TAR Party Secretary Wu Yingjie visited Qushui County where he made a special trip to research barley and maize production. He stressed that people should thoroughly implement the series of important instructions on the work of the "three rural issues". He gave a speech on the importance of poverty alleviation in the poor counties. He encouraged farmers to modernize agriculture and animal husbandry. District Party Committee Standing Committee Secretary Fang Lingmin, and the TAR Vice Chairman accompanied him. Wu Yinjie talked about the importance of a scientific method of farming different kinds of crops. The President of Qushui Agricultural Cooperative Duo Bujie said that most of Qushui county uses barley as the main crop for production. He further said that the cooperative has introduced new farming by minimizing human work and improving productivity. Wu Yingjie was happy to hear about the efforts of the agricultural cooperative and asked local cadres and masses to rely on the power of science and technology for better productivity. Wu Yinjie stressed that the 18th National Congress of the Chinese Communist Party under Comrade Xi Jinping has always attached great importance to "agriculture, rural areas and farmers". He acknowledged that the CCP has introduced new policies to help the masses in tackling difficulties. He urged locals and all departments to work hard and implement the strategic thinking put forward under the leadership of Xi Jinping. Responsible comrades of the TAR's Development and Reform Commission, Finance Department, Science and Technology Department, agriculture and animal husbandry and other relevant departments participated.
Rural Land Reform System Progress Report
September 13, 2017
A meeting to discuss and review progress of the reform of the rural land system was held in Lhasa on the afternoon of September 12, 2017. The meeting conveyed the important instructions given by Chairman of TAR United Front Work Department (UFWD), Lhasa Municipality and Deputy Secretary of TAR Party Committee Choedak/Chedak (Ch: Qi Zhala) and assessed the progress of rural land reform in TAR and stipulated the next course of action. The meeting assessed that overall progress of cultivable land is stable; field survey and mapping work is complete; and the contractor assigned for the reform was correctly directed to undertake the registration of households.
Lhasa Municipality And County News
Tibetan nomads make rare appeal against removal from grasslands
September 5, 2017
On August 8, 2017, in some areas of Darlag County in Golog, officials began implementation of a new policy to move nomads off their summer grazing land. August 23 was set as the deadline, by which most nomads were able to leave but some did not meet the deadline. Radio free Asia quoted a source as saying: “So the officials brought in armed police to threaten the nomads who remained, finally forcing them from the land and fining each of them 1,000 yuan [U.S. $152] for failing to obey the order. They were also told that anyone still left behind would be jailed.” The Tibetan herders have reportedly now made a rare appeal to the Chinese authorities saying that the orders are illegal in the context of Chinese law. In their appeal, written by ‘the people of Dernang' in a county in Golog and addressed to “The respected senior leaders of the People's Republic of China, and concerned departments”, the Tibetan nomads write: “Taking away citizens' rights to pastureland is against the constitution". They have listed 6 reasons.
Zeng Wanming's visit to People's Hospital in Shigatse.
7th September 2017
On September 6, TAR Party Committee member and Organization Minister Zeng Wanming visited the People's Hospital in Shigatse. He stressed the need to continue working hard to build a medical center for the western region of Tibet. TAR Vice Chairman and Shigatse Municipal Party Committee Secretary Zhang Yanqing accompanied him.
After his inspection of the People's Hospital and listening to the work report, Zeng Wanming pointed out that construction of the municipal people's hospital was done in a relatively short time. He said this outcome reflects the hard work of Shigatse municipal government personnel. On behalf of the Regional Party Committee, the government, TAR Party Secretary Wu Yinjie and Chairman Choedak, he expressed his heartfelt thanks to all who had worked in the construction of the People's Hospital.
Zeng Wanming stressed the importance of implementing the spirit of the eighth meeting of the Leading Group Office of the Central Organization Department. He asked the relevant departments to remain aware of the central goal of constructing a “Western Tibet Regional Medical Centre”.
China Aviation Oil Group's visit to Lhasa
September 01, 2017
Jiang Jie, Executive Vice Chairman of the TAR Party Committee met a research team from the China Aviation Oil Group headed by the General Manager of China Aviation Oil Group Company, Xi Zhengping in Lhasa on August 30, 2017.On behalf of TAR Party Committee, TAR People's Government, Party Secretary Wu Yingjie, and Choedak, Jiang Jie welcomed the ‘research team' and thanked the China Civil Aviation Industry for their support and concern for Tibet. Jiang Jie briefed the team on the economic and social development of Tibet, and the implementation of General Secretary Xi Jinping's new series of ideas and speeches. He stated that development, stability and ecological protection are the three main targets of TAR and assured that the stability and development of Tibet is in its best phase.
He pointed out that since the establishment of China Aviation Oil Group in Tibet in 2007, the CCP Central Committee and State Council has extended full regional airport security, financial support, aviation fuel and other aspects of development for Tibet's aviation industry which has promoted Tibet's economic development. Xi Zhenping expressed his gratitude to the TAR Party Committee and TAR People's Government for their ‘love and support' for China Aviation Oil Group Corporation and said the Corporation will set a faster pace of development for Tibet's aviation industry, will ensure regular supply of oil and will contribute to Tibet's economic and social development.
China increases subsidies for Tibetans to better manage and control border towns
September 12, 2017
The website of China's state-owned Global Times on September 10, 2017, disclosed that in order to motivate management and control of the border, the TAR government has been giving subsidies to its residents since 2012. It said the amount of subsidy has been rising, with the number of people covered by it reaching 160,000. .
The report cited Jiang Guojie, Deputy Head of the TAR Finance Department, as saying at a press conference on September 8 that the subsidies the government has been offering border residents aged above 16 years have been rising in the past five years.
The increase for residents of first-tier border towns was stated to be from 1,000 yuan in 2012 to 2,700 yuan in 2017, while for those in second-tier border towns the raise was from 800 yuan to 2,500 yuan.
The Tibet Daily was quoted as saying that around 1.2 billion yuan (US$185 million) was transferred to border areas of the TAR in 2016 ostensibly to increase the income of border residents, improve their living and working conditions and motivate them to manage and control the border. The report said that TAR was the PRC's first provincial-level region to create a border subsidy system.
The report also said that six billion yuan had been pooled to support the economic and social development of border areas.
Tibet Kyirong Border to Nepal Is Opened for Foreign Travelers
29 August 2017,
According to the Tibet Tourism Bureau, the Tibet-Kyirong border was opened for foreign travelers and travel permits for entering / exiting Kyirong to Nepal are now being issued.
It has taken the authorities more than a year to open the new Sino-Nepal border post at Kyirong since its official announcement. Last year, it was announced on CCTV last year that the “Kyirong border would open in June“.
(Comment: Kyirong is 2800m high and is about 755 km from Lhasa.) (Through Shigatse and is only around 85km to Kathmandu -- NOT CLEAR.).
Shanghai Federation of Trade Unions delegation in Xigaze
17 September 2017,
From August 31 to September 5, the Deputy Party Secretary and Vice Chairman of the Shanghai Federation of Trade Unions Jiang Haitao and his delegation visited Xigaze (Shigatse) and attended a symposium to discuss the need for economic development. They also toured Shigatse to understand economic and social development.
Jiang Haitao pointed out that it is the responsibility of Xigaze's cadres at all levels to promote rapid development of the area. He said there are many things, which the Shanghai Federation of Trade Unions can learn from Shigatse and its people. One example of good things in Xigaze is the hard work and unity, which are upheld as part of the old Tibetan spirit.
At the symposium, the two trade unions reached a consensus on projects where both sides could cooperate on the next aid project, the construction of trade unions in Xigaze, and the improvement of skills for upgrading of the staff and workers.
During the inspection, the Shanghai trade union delegation donated 450,000 yuan as funds to the Shigatse City Federation of Trade Unions. They also investigated construction of the Shigatse City staff service center, which was constructed by the Shanghai Federation of Trade Unions.
(Comment: The Shanghai Federation of Trade Unions has been helping the Shigatse Federation of Trade Unions since 2014 as suggested by the Party Central Committee. It has raised a total of 8.38 million yuan within four years and completed 19 projects as part of aiding Tibet.)
Police training carried out by Shigatse border detachment organization
30 August 2017
The Xigaze Border Defense Detachment Emergency Unit carried out training in order to improve its contingency capability and to deal with all kinds of ‘sudden incidents occurring in the border areas'. The main goal of training also included maintenance of political stability and social stability.
The training emphasised the importance of practical knowledge and the police were encouraged to put all theoretical knowledge to practical use. The focus of the training course was on border management, use of weapons and emergency preparedness So as to properly respond to all kinds of ‘sudden events in the border areas'.
All officers were asked to overcome difficulties and ‘enhance their awareness on war and protection from war'.
The 24th executive meeting of the Shigatse Municipal Government was held
8 September 2017
On September 5, the Xigaze Municipal Government held its first executive meeting. Deputy Secretary of the Municipal Party Committee and Executive Vice Mayor Feng Jikang presided and delivered a speech. The Deputy Secretary of the Municipal Party Committee and Executive Vice Mayor Ni Junnan introduced the scheme for the development of Mt. Everest. Deputy Secretary of the Municipal Party Committee and Executive Vice Mayor Xu Xiangguo and Wang Xiangmin (?) attended the meeting. The meeting discussed the Sangzhuzi District Government's plan for the development of Everest and need to open a pilot area for the construction of a regional work plan. The meeting urged relevant departments to work on poverty alleviation and focus on construction in the industrial area. Vice Mayor Gan Liquan and others like Tsering Tashi, and Zhao Liang attended the meeting. Some responsible comrades of the Sangzhuzi District Government, the Municipal Supervision Bureau, the Development and Reform Commission, Finance Bureau and other relevant departments also attended the meeting.
Nyingchi City and Xinhua News Agency's Tibet branch hold forum
8 September 2017
On September 6, Nyingchi City and the Xinhua News Agency's Tibet branch held a forum. Nyingchi City Party Secretary Ma Shengchang presided over the meeting. Xinhua News Agency's Tibet branch Party Secretary Duan Zhipu, Municipal Committee Secretary Wang Chunding, Municipal Committee member and Propaganda Minister Zhang Haibo attended the meeting.
Ma Shengchang expressed his warm welcome and heartfelt thanks to the research team. He then gave a detailed briefing on the economic and social development of Nyingchi. He said the Xinhua News Agency's Tibet research branch is highly concerned about the social and economic development in Nyingchi.
Secretary Duan Zhipu took the Xinhua News Agency research team and some other leaders to Nyingchi. They discussed the importance of the border.
Ma Shengchang said that the municipal government had been implementing the spirit and guiding principles of the 18 th National Congress. He urged them to implement the new strategic thinking of General Secretary Xi Jinping on governing the country and on governing the border areas. He asked them to implement Secretary Wu Yingjie's economic and social development plans in Nyingchi. He said the Regional Party Committee had worked hard and brought social and economic development to Nyingchi. Duan Zhipu explained the urban and rural development, which had taken place in Nyingchi to the research team.
Tibet Autonomous Region's Finance Minister Lang Fuchuan said that TAR's integrated sources of funds include the Central and TAR's financial arrangements for Poverty Alleviation and agriculture, forestry, water and 33 other types of agriculture-related funds and social funds, aid funds, etc.
Since 2016, Tibet has invested 10 billion yuan to support the development of regional industries and, as of now, 1419 industrial poverty alleviation projects are being implemented, of which 447 projects have been completed.
Activities of Tibetans inside China and Abroad
Leadership Appointments/Removals
TAR People's Congress Standing Committee's leadership appointment and removal list
The following resolutions were adopted at the 27 th meeting of 10 th TAR People's Congress Standing Committee Meeting held on November 2016.
Removed:
- Deng Xiaogang as Vice Chairman of the TAR People's Government
- Dong Mingjun, as Vice Chairman of TAR People's Government
- Jiguo Gang, as Director of TAR Development and Reform Commission
Appointed:
• Phurbu Tsering, as the Director of TAR Development and Reform Commission
• Kelsang, as Director of the Foreign Affairs and Overseas Chinese Affairs Office of TAR