In a bid to reinforce control and enhance development in Tibet, President Xi Jinping made a rare appearance in Lhasa, addressing around 20,000 attendees to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the establishment of the autonomous region. This marked only his second official visit to Tibet, underscoring the significance of the occasion as well as the Chinese government’s focus on maintaining authority in the region.
Unity and Development at the Core of Xi’s Controversial Tibet Visit
Unity and Development at the Core of Xi’s Controversial Tibet Visit
President Xi Jinping's rare visit to Tibet aims at promoting unity while facing longstanding concerns over human rights and autonomy in the region.
During his speech, Xi emphasized the need for political and social stability, ethnic unity, and religious harmony, avoiding any mention of the exiled Tibetan spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama, who recently announced that his office would choose his successor. In contrast, Xi reiterated that only the Chinese state holds the power over such decisions, framing the Dalai Lama as a proponent of separatism.
The Chinese leadership asserts that Tibetans are free to practice their faith, but critics argue that enduring restrictions on cultural and religious rights indicate a systematic erosion of Tibetan identity. Human rights advocates have documented claims of oppression, noting that the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) maintains a stringent grip on religious practices and cultural education, forcing Tibetan children into state-run schools and mandating the use of Mandarin.
Xi's visit followed the commencement of a significant infrastructure project—the Motuo Hydropower Station—projected to be the largest dam in the world upon completion. While Chinese sources argue that it will enhance local prosperity and ecological protection, experts highlight the potential for China to exert control over river systems that cross international borders.
The visit was widely celebrated in state media, showcasing Xi’s interactions with local officials and Tibetan performers, reinforcing the CCP's vision for Tibet centered on the four priorities of stability, development, environmental protection, and border security.
The Chinese leadership asserts that Tibetans are free to practice their faith, but critics argue that enduring restrictions on cultural and religious rights indicate a systematic erosion of Tibetan identity. Human rights advocates have documented claims of oppression, noting that the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) maintains a stringent grip on religious practices and cultural education, forcing Tibetan children into state-run schools and mandating the use of Mandarin.
Xi's visit followed the commencement of a significant infrastructure project—the Motuo Hydropower Station—projected to be the largest dam in the world upon completion. While Chinese sources argue that it will enhance local prosperity and ecological protection, experts highlight the potential for China to exert control over river systems that cross international borders.
The visit was widely celebrated in state media, showcasing Xi’s interactions with local officials and Tibetan performers, reinforcing the CCP's vision for Tibet centered on the four priorities of stability, development, environmental protection, and border security.
