TIBET INSIGHT

Political News

Shugden Supporters join China to praise Norway’s snub to Dalai Lama

Tibetan Review, May 8, 2014

Mostly Western Dorje Shugden worshippers have supported the Norwegian government’s decision not to arrange official meetings with the Dalai Lama. They have also announced their intention of staging a protest against the exiled Tibetan spiritual leader during his May 7-9 visit to Oslo. The Dalai Lama has prohibited worship of the Dorje Shugden Diety.

The protesters, who identify themselves as members of the International Shugden Community, reportedly belong mainly to the London-based New Kadampa Tradition whose head, Geshe Kelsang Gyatso, is known for his antipathy towards the Dalai Lama.

TAR District Party Committee Chairman’s meeting with Bhattarai of Nepal

Lhasa Evening News, May 8, 2014

The Chairman of the Tibet Autonomous Region, Lobsang Gyaltsen along with District Party Committee Deputy Secretary Wu Yingjie and Regional Vice Chairman Kelsang Tsering met a delegation from Nepal headed by United Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist) Vice Chairman, Bhattarai in Lhasa on May 8.

Lobsang Gyaltsen, appreciated that the Nepalese government does not allow Nepalese territory to be used to engage in anti-China activities, and expressed thanks for the support extended to China.  Describing China and Nepal as friendly neighbors linked by mountains and a long history of close friendship, he said that after the ‘liberation’ of Tibet in 1959 there is  a high degree of political trust, mutual economic  benefit, and mutual people-to-people exchanges  as  part of the agendas to promote cooperation in all areas and a comprehensive cooperation partnership. He said the relationship was a model of harmony between neighbouring countries. He stressed that Tibet is an inalienable part of China since ancient times and that in the last 60 years since its ‘peaceful liberation’ Tibet had witnessed unprecedented development under the correct leadership of the Communist Party of China. Bhattarai appreciated the great achievements in the economic and social development of Tibet, Tibetan culture, environmental protection and development. He repeated that Nepal has always adhered to the ‘one –China’ policy and the principle that Tibet is an inalienable part of China. He promised not to allow any organizations and individuals engaged in ‘anti-China’ activities to use Nepal's territory.

Inspection tour of Potala Palace Square

Lhasa Evening News, May 7, 2014

Apparently linked with the heightened security measures being implemented throughout China following the spate of attacks by Uyghurs, Lhasa Municipal Committee Deputy Secretary, Mayor Zhu Chunsheng inspected   security work at the Potala Palace Square. Municipal Committee Deputy Secretary and Mayor Zhang Yan Qing, Municipal Committee, First Deputy Secretary of the Municipal Committee and Municipal Public Security Bureau Party Secretary Tsering Wangdu were also present at the Potala Palace Square and other crowded places to check security work.    They visited the Lhasa Railway Station Square, airport highway checkpoints and the Palace Square police station and inspected equipment, drills and patrols. The Mayor encouraged personnel to overcome difficulties, weariness and fatigue, have a clear mind and keen judgment so that they can improve ideological vigilance. He asked them to be alert and decisive in combating violent and terrorist activities so as to deter hostile forces and said this is the only way to effectively protect the people of all nationalities.

The   Mayor said that opposing ethnic separatism and safeguarding national unity is not only in the highest interests of the country, but also in the fundamental interests of the 8,30,000 people of Lhasa. He exhorted: “We must have clear understanding of the current scientific means of anti-riot and anti-terrorist struggle against national separatist long-term challenge and superposition " ”Public security organs is the main force in the maintenance of stability and security in the region so as to further implement the guidelines from the centre”. He reminded the armed police forces of the challenge of resolutely cracking down on the ‘separatist forces’, and sabotage activities by the Dalai Lama.  He emphasized the importance of effective action to curb terrorist violence while keeping the cost of the crack-down very low.

DEVELOPMENT

Crackdown launched over anti-mining protests

Dossier Tibet, May 14, 2014

Chinese authorities have cracked down on villagers opposing mining projects in Lathok Township of Tibet’s Chamdo County. Hundreds of armed police were deployed to detain those who had petitioned higher levels of authority for a halt to the extraction activity. Meanwhile, Tibetans in neighboring Dzogang County are continuing their protests against mining. Chinese officials had visited Lathok as early as 2006 to check for ore samples and had tried to gain local support for mining by promising compensation. But the Tibetans protested.  Months later following the construction of roads leading to excavation sites and threats by officials that resistance to mining operations would bring punishment, Tibetans drafted- a letter to China’s central authorities and sent it on March 5. Similar petitions were sent that day to TAR authorities and officials of Chamdo prefecture.

A few days later, the authorities detained 30 Tibetans from Lathok, including those responsible for sending the petitions.  The two who had volunteered to send the petition to the central government were starved and given only minimal amounts of food for 20 days. All villages and monasteries in the Lathok area were sternly warned not to try and stop the mining work. Separately, on March 8, Chamdo county official Norbu Dhondup arrived in Lathok with 500 armed para-military police and cracked down on villagers in the area of Chulung.

Meanwhile, demonstrations are continuing in neighboring Dzogang County’s Tongbar town, where a local man on May 7 stabbed himself and jumped from a building to his death On May 10, over 300 Tibetans gathered at the town centre to protest.

TAR Government enhances funds for infrastructure construction

China News, May 14, 2014

The TAR has planned an additional investment in Tibet’s infrastructure of 28.6 billion Yuan (US$ 4.6 billion). 

The money is earmarked for 236 projects during the "12th Five-year Plan" period (2011-2015) covering areas such as transportation, energy, specialty industries, public service, eco-environment protection and social administration.

Well-known projects include extension of the Tibet Buddhist College, renovation of Pangda Airport in Chamdo County, construction of the Lhasa-Nyingchi Railway, Lalho water-control project and a sewage treatment system in Dromo County.

A key project of the "12th Five-year Plan", the Lhasa-Shigatse Railway completed recently is expected to be opened in September, 2014. The 253- kilometers long Lhasa-Shigatse Railway will reach speeds of 120 kmph and take only two hours from Lhasa to Shigatse. Of the 236 projects, 226 are supported by the central government, double the number of projects supported in the last five-year plan.

Xining Governor Hao Peng’s meeting with the Delegation of Taiwan Federation of Industries

Qinghai Daily, May 8, 2014

 Xining Governor Hao Peng met delegates of the Taiwan Federation of Industries led by Vice-Chairman Lin Bofeng of the Commerce and Industry Association of Taiwan on May 8. Welcoming the delegates, Hao Peng briefed them on the status of Qinghai‘s economic and development. He said that although Taiwan and Xining are separated by thousands of miles there are continuous exchanges between the two. Hao Peng added that Taiwan had contributed a lot to development activities in Western Qinghai and thanked Taiwan for the donations made to Yushul after the 2010 earthquake.

RELIGION

 Renovation and Reconstruction of Tibet’s Oldest Monastery

China Tibet online, May 12, 2014

China has started renovating the oldest and sacred Samye Monastery of Tibet. Commenced in September 2010 with an investment of 769.7 million Yuan -- the largest spent on a monastery,; the project will reconstruct the main halls, roofs and walls and will be completed this November.