China News

• CHINA-US: TRADE-SOYBEAN PURCHASES Reuters reported (December 12) that on December 12, China purchased Soybean worth at least US$ 180 million. This was the first purchase after US President Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping agreed to a trade war truce at the G-20 at Rio. Dec 2018

  CHINA-ECONOMY: AUTO SALES DROP Reuters quoted China's premier auto industry association as acknowledging on December 13, that China's automobile sales fell about 14 percent in November from a year earlier, marking the steepest such drop in nearly seven years in the world's largest auto market. The drop in sales to 2.55 million vehicles, a fifth straight decline in monthly numbers, comes against a backdrop of slowing economic growth and a crippling China-U.S. trade war. It was the steepest decline since January 2012, when the timing of the Lunar New Year holiday hurt auto sales. Dec 2018

  CHINA-ECONOMY: FDI DROPS According to figures released by the Ministry of Commerce on December 13, Foreign Investment in China fell sharply in November as concerns over the tariff battle between China and the United States hit investor confidence. Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in the month fell 27.6 per cent year on year to US$13.6 billion. The slide came despite Beijing making the stabilisation of foreign investment one of its top economic policy priorities. Although even before November, the FDI growth rate had being slowing for the past three months, hitting a four-month low of 7.3 per cent in October. Dec 2018

  READ MORE

Tibet Insight

• Tibet Insight No.32/2018 TAR Party Committee holds meeting to support decision against former military chief On October 20, The TAR Party Committee met on October 19 to convey the CCP CC’s decision against former PLA Chief and former General Fang Fenghui for ‘serious violations of law.’ The meeting unanimously supported the Central decision was timely and wise and stating that the former chief’s case was thoroughly investigated and dealt with. The meeting was presided over by TAR Party Secretary Wu Yingjie and attended by top TAR Officials and provincial military leaders. Wu Yingjie urged all officials in TAR to strictly abide by the Party’s political discipline, to be resolutely loyal to the Party and to stringently implement the ‘Four Consciousness’ and ‘Four Confidences’. CCAS Oct 15-30, 2018

  Tibet Insight No.31/2018 Gonggar Airport commences direct flights to Wuhan On September 20, the TAR Tourism Commission and Lhokha (Ch: Shannan) Municipal People’s Government’s Tourism Commission, Wuhan Cultural Exchange Centre and Chengdu Airlines hosted the opening ceremony of the Winter Tour and inauguration of the Lhoka-Wuhan Direct Flight at Gonggar Airport. Ji Yue, Deputy Director of the TAR Tourism Commission, said the opening of the new route will bridge the government, tourism, civil aviation and other departments of the two provinces. CCAS Sep 15-30, 2018

  Tibet Insight No.30/2018 TAR PSB creates “3-minute Police Circle” The TAR PSB recently launched a “3-minute police circle” initiative as part of a new series of surveillance measures. Police Stations under this scheme will issue ID cards to residents for ‘free’. The new Saikang Convenience Police Station, at the intersection of Beijing Middle road and Qingnian Road in Lhasa, is part of the “3-minute police circle” initiative and in addition to public security tasks assists tourists visiting the city. An example was cited of two Swiss tourists who were lost and arrived at the Saikang Convenience Police Station. The Police Station got in touch with one Sonam Dorjee, Dean of Southwest University for Nationalities and an English major, who arrived in 3 minutes and guided the tourists to their destination. The official Tibetan media report said Sonam and his colleagues make at least forty times a day to convenience police stations if necessary. CCAS Sep 1-15, 2018

  Tibet Insight No.29/2018 Wang Yang’s Visit to Tibet Wang Yang made a visit to Tibet from August 24-26, in the capacity of the Chairman of the 13th Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) National Committee, and Member of PBSC. He visited Chamdo and Lhasa. Wang stated that with Xi Jinping’s Socialism with Chinese Characteristic in the New Era as the guiding principle, all the TAR Officials should conscientiously implement the General Secretary and the Party’s strategy of managing Tibet and Tibet affairs, also to closely focus on safeguarding the ‘Motherland’s reunification’, vanguard and oppose splittism/separatism, to strengthen national unity and to focus on improving the livelihood of people. CCAS Aug 15-31, 2018

  Tibet Insight No.28/2018 Lhasa Natural Gas Station to start second phase expansion project In seven years of operation the Lhasa Natural Gas Station has replaced 210,000 tons of standard coal, reducing 400,000 tons of carbon dioxide and 145,000 tons of dust. From the winter of 2017 to the spring of 2018, the Lhasa gas station had a peak gas consumption of 200,000 square meters and a total gas consumption of 31 million square meters. Before the arrival of the ‘heating’ season this year, the Lhasa Natural Gas Station will start the second phase of the expansion and reconstruction project in order to meet the gas demand of the vast number of residents in Lhasa. Zhang Guangyan, station director of the Lhasa Natural Gas Station, said that using natural gas for heating and cooking had never been thought of in the past. Today, 200,000 residents in Lhasa enjoy the changes brought about by natural gas and green energy. CCAS Aug 1-15, 2018

  Tibet Insight No.27/2018 Chinese Premier Li Keqiang on visit to TAR tells Buddhist leaders to defend ethnic unity Chinese Premier Li Keqiang made his first publicly reported visit to Tibet on July 25 -27, 2018. During his tour Li Keqiang visited the capital Lhasa and the southern prefectures of Nyingtri and Lhokha, pledging to boost infrastructure investment to improve the economy and calling for ethnic unity between Tibetans and the country’s Han majority. He was accompanied throughout the tour by TAR Party Secretary Wu Yingjie and Choedak (Qi Zala), Chairman of TAR People’s Government. CCAS Jul 15-31, 2018

  Tibet Insight No.26/2018 877,000 Social Security cards issued in Tibet The TAR Human Resources and Social Security Department reportedly issued 877,000 social security cards from June 2017 to April 2018. The card with an installed chip is a multipurpose feature created to manage social security by recording a person’s movements and for payment purposes, medical treatment and as electronic vouchers. The card identifies the holder’s name, citizenship number, personal photo, social insurance contributions, personal status etc. CCAS Jul 1-15, 2018

  Tibet Insight No.25/2018 Late Panchen Lama’s daughter in Tibet, is CCP behind the visit? A recent blog by Claudi Arpi claimed the daughter of the late tenth Panchen Lama Rigzin Wangmo was in Tibet after her last visit on June 20, 2013 when she and her mother was welcomed warmly by a huge gathering of Tibetans. She visited two of the most important monasteries in Lhasa, Ramoche and Jokhang and also Tashilhunpo in Shigatse, the monastery of the Panchen Lamas. CCAS Jun 15-30, 2018

  Tibet Insight No.24/2018 TAR Party Secretary visits Kindergarten On International Children’s Day on May 31, TAR Party Secretary Wu Yingjie visited a Bilingual kindergarten in Chengguan district of Lhasa. Posters highlighting the contrast between “old and new Tibet” were pasted in the corridors of the school. TAR Party Secretary Wu Yingjie advised the children to understand the trust and loyalty of the Party and to remember Chinese President Xi Jinping's message of safeguarding the motherland's unity. CCAS Jun 1-15, 2018

  Tibet Insight No.23/2018 Deputy Secretary of TAR Party Committee and Chairman of TAR People’s Government Che Dalha aka Qi Zhala visited Yumai village in Lhunze County of Lhoka from May 19- 20, 2018. The purpose of the visit was reportedly to inspect the progress of the Xiaokang Village (Moderately Prosperous Society). CCAS May 15-31, 2018

  Tibet Insight No.22/2018 TAR Public Security Bureau Director's talk in Party School The Vice Chairman of the TAR Party Committee and Director of TAR Public Security Liu Jiang was invited to give a talk on ‘National Security’ at the TAR Party School on April 12. CCAS May 1-15, 2018

  Tibet Insight No.21/2018 TAR Public Security Bureau held Legal Awareness activities on Public Safety Day The TAR observes every ‘15th April’ as the National Public Safety Day and organizes various ‘educational’ and publicity activities on that day. This year on National Public Safety Day, the Legal Affairs Corps under TAR Public Security Bureau organized an exhibition cum publicity/legal awareness event themed “Tough actions on crimes that endanger/destabilize national security.” CCAS Apr 15-30, 2018

  Tibet Insight No.20/2018 TAR Party Secretary’s Exclusive Interview to Xinhua The Party Secretary of Tibetan Autonomous Region (TAR), Wu Yingjie gave an exclusive interview to Xinhua News Agency where he reiterated Xi Jinping’s idea of creating Tibet as a model of national unity through rural revitalization strategy by the preserving the ‘old Tibet spirit’ and striving to build a well-off society. He said the project should give them a sense of China as ‘happy home builder’ and that can be achieved by implementing the development project with utmost care. CCAS Apr 1-15, 2018

  Tibet Insight No.19/2018 Youth Representatives to the two sessions held a seminar The youth representatives/delegates from TAR to the two sessions of the CPPCC and NPC upon their return held a seminar for young students in Lhasa entitled “New age dreams for the Plateau.” The delegates shared that they gained a deeper understanding of the spirit of the two sessions by participating, and they in turn are “committed to take greater political responsibility.” They urged the students to do the same. The students expressed their enthusiasm by adding youthful energy for the realisation and rejuvenation of the Chinese dream. CCAS Mar 15-31, 2018

  Tibet Insight No.18/2018 Tibet University Inspection Trip Deputy Secretary of TAR Party Committee and Secretary of TAR CPPCC Ding Yexian, TAR People’s Government Vice Chairman Shi Moujun, TAR CPPCC Vice Chairman Gao Yang, TAR Education Department and other relevant department leaders went on an inspection trip to Tibet University in Lhasa on March 7, 2018. CCAS Mar 1-15, 2018

  Tibet Insight No.17/2018 NPC Preparation Sessions for TAR Delegates A ‘study and learning’ session was held in Lhasa on February 24, 2018 for the TAR’s delegates to the NPC and CPPCC meetings being held in Beijing from March 2. The meeting was presided over by Zhen Wanming, member of the TAR CP CC Standing Committee and Minister of the TAR Organization Department and also spoke to the TAR delegates. Pasang Tashi, Member of TAR Party Committee and Propaganda Department, Duo Tuo, Deputy Director of the Standing Committee of NPC, and Lobsang Gyurmey, Vice Chairman of TAR Political Consultative Conference spoke on the spirit of the 19th Party Congress and relevant issues concerning TAR. CCAS Feb 15-28, 2018

  Tibet Insight No.16/2018 TAR Public Security Bureau Meeting The Public Security Bureau of TAR held a meeting of all the Chiefs/Heads of the Public Security Offices across the Region on February 6, 2018. The TAR Party Committee, TAR People’s Government, and TAR Politics and Law Committee jointly convened the meeting. The primary objective of the meeting was to study and discuss ways and means to implement General Secretary ‘Xi Jinping’s Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics in the New Era’. CCAS Feb 1-15, 2018

  Tibet Insight No.15/2018 Stability Inspections in Lhasa The Executive Vice Chairman of TAR Party Committee and the Chairman of TAR Stability Maintenance Department, Zhuagyan Zai made an investigative tour to the Stability Prevention and Control Centres in Lhasa on January 06, 2018. He examined the work reports presented by the officials and deployed new stability maintenance measures. CCAS Jan 1-15, 2018

  Tibet Insight No.14/2017 China’s Annual Conference on Rural Work discusses Tibet An article in the state-owned Global Times on December 25, 2017 said that a high priority item for 2018 on the agenda of China's annual central conference on rural work, which will set the tone for next year's agricultural and rural development and is expected to convene in Beijing soon, is revitalising the countryside. It said, "poor villages along the borders of Southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region with India, Nepal, Bhutan and other neighboring countries may receive more attention than usual". The article said "Tibet has achieved rapid economic growth over the past few years, but many people in the region, which is locked away among the Himalaya Mountains, are still suffering from poverty". CCAS Dec 15-31, 2017

  Tibet Insight No.13/2017 Twelve Mongolian monks have been invited by the Buddhist Association of China to study Tibetan Buddhism at the Tibetan Buddhism College of China for a period of one year. Jampa Thinlay, a senior teacher at the College read out the welcome message from the Buddhist Association of China which stated that “the Buddhist communities of China and Mongolia enjoy a long-standing friendship and that there have been increasing exchanges in recent years. Organizing of this class builds a bridge for indepth and friendly exchanges between the two Buddhist communities.” CCAS Nov 15-30, 2017

  Tibet Insight No.12/2017 Panchen Lama inaugurates the Seventh Annual Seminar on Tibetan Buddhist Doctrine Interpretation, TAR Leaders visit exhibitions on Poverty Alleviation, Shigatse held group discussion on the spirit of 19th CPC National meeting, Potala Palace to undergo large renovation, Ma Shengchang presided over the 45th Standing Committee Meeting of the First Committee of the Nyingtri Party Committee, Preliminary survey for an underground Tibet-Nepal OBOR railway line concluded CCAS Nov 1-12, 2017

  Tibet Insight No.11/2017 Xi sent a letter to Tibetan herders with a message on China’s border row with India Taiwanese activists joined the campaign to condemn China for failed Tibet policy Chamdo Party Secretary determined to build strong economic Zone in Eastern Tibet Tibetan Representative for 19th Party Congress were more structured CCAS Oct 15-31, 2017

  Tibet Insight No.10/2017 Xi sent a letter to Tibetan herders with a message on China’s border row with India Taiwanese activists joined the campaign to condemn China for failed Tibet policy Chamdo Party Secretary determined to build strong economic Zone in Eastern Tibet Tibetan Representative for 19th Party Congress were more structured CCAS Oct 1-15, 2017

  Tibet Insight No.9/2017 29 delegates will represent the Tibet Autonomous Region (TAR) at the 19 th Party Congress to be held in Beijing in October-November 2017. The delegates are: Ding Yexian, Ma Shengchang, Wang Yongjun, Ba Zhen (FemaleTibetan), Pema Yangchen (Female- Menba nationality),Pema Wangdue (Tibetan), Nyima Dangqu(Tibetan), Penpa Tashi(Tibetan Party committee), Penpa Tashi (Tibetan Xietong County), Da Boer (Lhoba nationality), Zhu Zhongkui, Ren Houmin, Xiang Batashi (Tibetan), Xiangba Pincao (Tibetan), Choedon la (Tibetan), Tsering Paldon (Female-Tibetan), Tsering Yangchen (Female-Tibetan), Xu Chengcang, Wu Yingjie, Zhang Yanqing (Tibetan), Abu (Chinese), Lhatso (Tibetan- Female), Sonji Tashi (Tibetan), Lhopon Dhondup (Tibetan), Lobsang Jangsem (Tibetan), Yao Chi (Female-Tibetan), Tan Haiyu (Female), Ceng Wanming, Jampa Dolma (Female- Tibetan) CCAS Sep 15-30, 2017

  Tibet Insight No.8/2017 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. CCAS Sep 1-15, 2017

  Tibet Insight No.7/2017 On August 1, 2017, the TAR Regional Party Committee met to study the importance of implementing the speech given by General Secretary Xi Jinping on July 26. TAR Party Secretary Wu Yingjie presided and stressed that leading cadres at the provincial and ministerial levels TAR should seriously study the speech and uphold the spirit of socialism with Chinese characteristics. The speech emphasized the importance of educating and broadening the minds of Party members and cadres. CCAS Aug 15-31, 2017

  Tibet Insight No.6/2017 On August 1, 2017, the TAR Regional Party Committee met to study the importance of implementing the speech given by General Secretary Xi Jinping on July 26. TAR Party Secretary Wu Yingjie presided and stressed that leading cadres at the provincial and ministerial levels TAR should seriously study the speech and uphold the spirit of socialism with Chinese characteristics. The speech emphasized the importance of educating and broadening the minds of Party members and cadres. CCAS Aug 1-15, 2017

  Tibet Insight No.5/2017 Radio Free Asia (RFA) reported on July 10, 2017, that Tibetans living in Lhasa and in western China’s Qinghai and Sichuan provinces celebrated the Dalai Lama’s birthday the previous week with prayer gatherings and public picnics in open defiance of a ban by Chinese authorities. In Lhasa, Tibetans conducted prayers and openly visited area monasteries, including the city’s central Jokhang temple, despite the presence of plainclothes security personnel and other informers stationed nearby. CCAS Jul 2017

  Tibet Insight No.4/2017 The Standing Committee of the 10th National People’s Congress of the TAR held its 34th meeting on the morning of June 14, 2017. The meeting was convened and presided over by the Chairman of the TAR People’s Congress Lobsang Gyaltsen (ethnicity: Tibetan), who replaced Pema Choling as the Chairman in January 2013. Lobsang Gyaltsen (Losang Jamcan) is also a Deputy Secretary of the TAR Party Committee. CCAS Jun 2017

  Tibet Insight No.3/2017 More instances of self-immolations in TAR in the month of May; Shigatse Municipal government holds conference on smart city construction; 110th meeting of Directors of the Standing Committee of the Tenth People’s; Congress of the Tibet Autonomous Region; 32nd and 33rd meeting of the Standing Committee of the Tenth TAR People’s Congress CCAS May 2017

  Tibet Insight No.2/2017 Nagchu Party Secretary Sangay Tashi inspects monasteries in Nagchu; China considering turning entire Tibetan plateau and surrounding mountains into a huge 2.5 million sq km park national park to protect “the last piece of pure land”. Claims this would help ease water supply concerns of neighboring countries and will also help implementation of ‘One Belt, One Road’; 12.8 billion yuan invested in Lhasa-Nyingchi Railway project; A China Daily article claimed that under India’s illegal rule, the residents of “Southern Tibet” lived difficult lives, faced various kinds of discrimination, and looked forward to returning to China; On April 19, 2017, China’s government formally gives Chinese names to six places in Arunachal Pradesh; While on a three-day visit to Nepal commencing March 23, 2017, Chinese Defence Minister General Chang Wanquan pledged a grant of Rs 3.04 billion (Chinese Yuan 200 million) to the Nepal Army. CCAS Apr 2017

  Tibet Insight No.1/2017 Public Security Meeting ahead of the Tibetan Uprising Day ; Xi Jinping’s meeting with Ethnic Minority leaders; China reacts strongly to Dalai Lama’s planned visit to Arunachal Pradesh in April; TAR Party Committee Chief welcomes foreign Journalist but with conditions; Nagchu celebrates 58th ‘Self Emancipation’ Day CCAS Mar 2017

  Tibet Insight No.29/15 Chinese leaders discuss Tibet's development and long term stability; TAR Vice Chairman’s investigation tour to Nagchu; Ngari Party Secretary meets farmers and herdsmen; TAR Organization Department Minister meets Monastic Management Officials; TAR completes training of 2000-odd village cadres; Chamdo City Committee holds ‘Study Meeting’; Qinghai-Tibet railway to be extended near border between Tibet and Nepal; Tibetan monk self-immolates in 142nd such protest against China; Prominent Tibetan political prisoner dies in Chinese prison; CCAS Aug 2015

  Tibet Insight No.28/15 High-level meetings and inspections in TAR; Symposium held in Lhasa to promote rule of law; Former top Chinese spy in Tibet investigated for alleged corruption; Britain shrugs off China’s warnings over Dalai Lama at music festival; Mayor of Ningbo City, Zhejiang province’s inspection tour to Tibet’s Nagchu Prefecture; Rinpoches training in Lhasa; China equips all temples in ‘Tibet’ for TV propaganda education; Sun Chunlan: Tibetan Buddhist circle should resist separatist activities; Party Secretary of Lhasa Municipality attends law abiding and patriotic awards function; Lhasa Nyingchi high-grade highway to open by the end of July; China opens new route for Indian pilgrims to Tibet. CCAS Jul 2015

  Tibet Insight No.27/15 “Countryside Campaign” in Nagchu Prefecture; Tibetan mother of two sets fire to herself outside government building; Stability Maintenance Meeting in Lhoka ahead of Religious Festival; Sun Chunlan’s inspection tour to News Centres; Training of troops in Nagchu for road construction security; CCP CC’s Organization Department allocates 5 million Yuan party membership dues to quake-hit Tibetan areas; Xi Jinping urges lawful management of religious affairs; China rewards no-protest Tibetan monasteries, subjects others to “patriotism education"; China invests in Tibetan Buddhist schools to produce next generation of religious leaders; Shigatse Housing Projects; TAR Vice Chairman meets Agricultural Bank of China Delegates; One billion Yuan investment to construct small towns in TAR; SHIGATSE-Leadership Appointments and Dismissals. CCAS Jul 2015

  READ MORE

Books

• 	Cadres of Tibet Book Review
  	Xi Jinping's China Book Review
  READ MORE

Events

• 	Book Release: Seminar 1&2, Kamladevi Complex, IIC Main 7 November 2017 Time: 5:30-7:00 PM IST
  BOOK LAUNCH REPORT
  READ MORE