Half a century ago, the People’s Republic of China established the Tibet Autonomous Region (TAR) making it the second largest province-level division of the state. Today, to commemorate this anniversary, China will hold state enforced celebrations in Lhasa amidst increased militarisation and tightening security. According to the International Campaign for Tibet, with top leaders from Beijing due to attend the founding anniversary, a massive influx of troops and convoys have been seen in Lhasa, Shigatse and Rebkong in the past months. It has been noted that while some troops appear to be present for propaganda purposes and public intimidation, others have been linked to military exercises organised by the state.
View of Lhasa from Jokhang Temple
Photo:tibetanreview.net
In tandem with the security issue, the state postal service has enforced strict control of communication in the region. The launch of their “Clean Sweep and Strike” campaign allows authorities to check personal effects sent through the post between TAR and Beijing. Any sender or receiver of suspicious posts can be investigated and remanded under security pretexts. Authorities are particularly on the lookout for arms and ammunition, explosives and political publications, in anticipation of opposition. A concern that an increase in self-immolations by Tibetans as a tool of protest against Beijing’s policies and repression in Tibet may be cause for added restrictions being imposed.
Official celebrations take place on September 1 and security is being monitored in every sphere. Tibet travel permits are not being issued from late August to the first week of September and Tibetan trade organisations and tourist agencies have been cautioned on the necessity of stability in the region.
Logo for the 50th Anniversary of the establishment of TAR
Photo:chinadaily.com
Chinese propaganda to date has included issuing commemorative gold and silver Tibet themed coins, and an exhibition of Tibetan democratic reforms is being held for foreign diplomats at the Cultural Palace of Nationalities in Beijing. The authorities have tried to tie in the freedom of serfs with the formation of the TAR, according to a report by China.org. The government backed news portal states that “the government dissolved the aristocratic local government of Tibet and more than one million serfs were freed in 1959″.
Print
Email