Tibet Insight No.11/14

 

  

                                                         TIBET INSIGHT NEWS

 

POLITICAL

 

Tibetan Exiled Government Reaffirms Dialogue Commitment

South China Morning Post, Washington Post, June 5, 2014

The Tibetan government-in-exile on June 5 reaffirmed its commitment to the “Middle Way” approach of engaging China through dialogue to achieve meaningful autonomy for Tibetans within the country. Sikyong Lobsang Sangay said that a peaceful solution to the Tibetan issue would bring stability to China and create a win-win situation. Sangay was speaking after launching a website explaining in detail the "Middle Way" approach, proposed by the Dalai Lama and adopted as official policy by the exiled parliament in 1997.

Tibet’s government-in-exile plans to actively use social media to educate people about its policy of reconciliation."We have limited resources, but plenty of good will," said Dicki Choeyang, the exiled government's information and international relations minister.The Dalai Lama, who also attended the function, described the government-in-exile's effort as well-timed.

"Tibet Independence" in "Middle Way" disguise: Zhu Weiqun

China Tibet Online, June 09, 2014

Zhu Weiqun, Director of the Committee of Ethnic and Religious Affairs of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), published an article entitled "Tibet Independence in Middle Way Disguise" on China Tibet Online after the Central Tibetan Administration released its "Middle Way-Umaylam Campaign".

Zhu Weiqun asserted that the "Middle way Approach contradicts China's Constitution and the system of regional ethnic autonomy... Middle Way is two step approaches leading to Tibet Independence." He cited five reasons why the Middle Way is not achievable:

First, it denies that Tibet is a historically integral part of China thus allowing further argument that Tibet was a "state under China’s occupation" which provides a potential historical and legal justification to "Tibet independence".

Second, the 14th Dalai Lama claims his “dictatorship” of a "Greater Tibet" covering one fourth of Chinese territory, namely, the entire Tibet Autonomous Region, Qinghai Province, two autonomous prefectures of Sichuan Province, one autonomous prefecture of Yunan and Gansu respectively.

Third, it claims a "high degree of autonomy" in "Greater Tibet" for the 14th Dalai Lama in all policymaking areas except military and diplomatic, namely political, economical, cultural, demographical, educational, language, environmental protection, and religious issues, which means overthrowing the socialist system on the Plateau.

Fourth, it demands withdrawal of the People’s Liberation Army from "Greater Tibet" and converts “Greater Tibet" into an "international peace zone" through international negotiations.

Fifth, according to the Dalai Lama's 1987 report to the US Congress, it demands that "Han Chinese emigrants in Tibet should return to China". This would entail expelling 75 million Han Chinese. Worse still, the number of those to be expelled would reach 250 million should the geographical ambition of "Greater Tibet “materialize.

He concluded by saying that "in the previous contacts and talks in early 1980s, the Chinese leaders pinpointed the nature of the "Middle Way Approach “and declared that "Tibet Independence" has no future, and neither do "pseudo-Independence" nor "semi-Independence".

Nakchu Prefectural Party Committee held round-table conversation.

Lhasa evening news, June 11, 2014

A round table discussion was held in Nakchu(Ch: Nagqu) on June 10 by the Nakchu Prefectural Party Committee. District Vice Chairman and Party Secretary Gao Yang presided.

The meeting discussed the need to thoroughly understand the nature of the Discipline Inspection Commission and focussing on the work of the Commission for Discipline Inspection with innovative ideas at work. It noted that paying attention to the behaviour of cadres is very important. The Party’s Organization Department should work to ensure proper education and enhance the party cadres’ ability to grasp the essence and concept of education and their purpose. It should focus on selecting and appointing cadres in a fair and open manner. The Party’s Propaganda Department should focus its ideological work on carrying out the party's ideas in different ways for the good of the entire community.

China’s Foreign Ministry’s remarks against the Dalai Lama and Central Tibetan Administration (CTA)

China.org.cn, June 9, 2014

China’s Foreign Ministry on June 6, slammed the remarks of the Tibetan leader in exile advocating dialogue with the Central Government and urged the Dalai Lama to stop secessionist activities.

Lobsang Sangay, had reaffirmed that the "Tibetan government in exile" will resume dialogue with the Chinese government soon and claimed that low-level talks have been kept all along”.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hong Lei said at the regular news briefing that Lobsang Sangay“ is a secessionist and the ringleader of the 'Tibetan government in exile,' who has never done anything good for Tibetan-inhabited areas".The spokesperson added that the "Tibetan government in exile" runs counter to Chinese laws,  “is a secessionist organization with an attempt to seek "Tibet independence" and has not been acknowledged officially by any government since its existence”.Hong Lei described the Dalai Lama's so-called "Middle Way" as actually "Tibet independence in disguise."He reiterated that the central government has made it clear that neither "Tibet independence" nor "semi-independence" is allowed.

Hong said the central government's policy towards the Dalai Lama is consistent and explicit. He reiterated that the door for dialogue is always open, but that the dialogue will only be withthe Dalai Lama's private representative, and will never be about the so-called "Tibet issue", but about the personal future of the Dalai Lama.

Top political advisor stresses religion-socialism harmony

 Xinhua, May 20, 2014

During a visit to Dechen County(Ch: Diqing) of Yunnan Province, the Chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, Yu Zhengsheng urged efforts to harmonize religion with socialist society and ensure stability.

Yu Zhengsheng urged further work to implement the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) Central Committee's decisions regarding Tibetan areas and to improve people's lives and promote comprehensive social development and long-term prosperity and stability in such areas. He said the “relationship between development and stability should be properly balanced.The fundamental purpose to accelerate development in Tibetan areas is to improve people's livelihoods, and that should be regarded as a key benchmark to evaluate the quality of development".

Yu Zhengsheng said more funds and projects should be invested in farming and husbandry areas as well as grassroots units to increase the income of Tibetan farmers and herders.

When visiting a secondary school, Yu called on local schools to advance the bilingual Tibetan-Han teaching and to educate students to love the Party, the country and the Chinese nation. Yu also visited representatives of local Buddhist circles, pledging to fully implement the CPC's policies to ensure religious freedom and administer religious affairs in accordance with the law. The government and officials should unite religious followers, respect their beliefs and understand their customs, he said, adding that their legitimate rights and interests should be protected. Yu called for efforts to help Buddhists recognize the nature and harm of the "Middle Way approach" and "high degree of autonomy" advocated by the 14th Dalai Lama clique.

Yu Zhengsheng called on the Buddhists to oppose all secession attempts and acts intended to sabotage the CCP's leadership and socialist system, and urged them to resolutely safeguard national and ethnic unity as well as social stability and harmony.

Chen Quanguo meets Chinese Ambassador to Nepal Wu Chun Tai.

Tibet Daily, June 12, 2014

TAR Party Secretary Chen Quanguo met a delegation led by Chinese Ambassador to Nepal Wu Chuntai in Lhasa on June 10.

Chen Quanguo welcomed the group and thanked the Chinese Embassy in Nepal for its long-term concern and support for Tibet. Chen Quanguo said in recent years, the Regional Party Committee, government cadres and masses of all ethnic groups had unitedly forged ahead in thoroughly implementing the Eighteenth Party Congress’ guidelines and General Secretary Xi Jinping’s important speeches. He referred to "Tibet’s sustained efforts to achieve long-term stability, and overall stability,” and said his Government is “trying to build a long-term policy to win over the people and lay a solid foundation”. 

 Chen Quanguosaid Sino-Nepalese friendship has a long history. The Tibet Autonomous Region and Nepal are close neighbours, with cultural similarities and in recent years, bilateral economic cooperation and personnel exchanges, cultural exchanges have become closer and more fruitful. Nepal has always firmly pursued the one-China policy and firmly opposes any forces to use Nepalese territory to engage in anti-China activities. He praised Nepal saying that it is worthy of being our good neighbour, good friend and good partner.  He said that China’s Embassy in Nepal had worked hard and played an important role in this regard. Chen Quanguo said the Tibet Autonomous Region will conscientiously implement General Secretary Xi Jinping’s important speech and stick with the neighbors as good neighbours, as good partners and adhere to an amicable, secure and prosperous neighbourhood. 

 Wu Chuntai said that the Tibet government has long been an important partner of the Chinese Embassy in Nepal and congratulatedthe remarkable economic and social development of Tibet.   He concluded by saying that the Chinese Embassy in Nepal will continue to focus on the overall work of the Party and the country, actively serve the overall interests of the country's diplomatic work, make more efforts to promote friendly exchanges between the Tibet Autonomous Region and Nepal, by providing strong support for the Tibetan leapfrog development and long-term stability.

60 held in Tibet for protesting destructive Chinese gold mine

Tibetan review, June 15, 2014

Chinese authorities in Dzogang (Chinese: Zuogang) County of Chamdo (Changdu) Prefecture, Tibet Autonomous Region, have detained about 60 men from a village on Jun 8-9for a series of protests against the operation of a gold mine project in their area said to be environmentally destructive. The detainees represent a member from each family in Gewar village, along with those who had previously travelled to India and the two village heads. Local authorities had initially ordered all the male members of all the families in Gewar village of Tongbar Town to come to a meeting. In addition to the two village heads, those who had previously travelled to India were also ordered to come.

Although the villagers had been protesting against the mining for some time, protests had intensified after a frustrated villager named PhakpaGyaltsen stabbed himself and then jumped to his death from a building in Tongbar town on May 7.

 

DEVELOPMENT/INFRASTRUCTURE NEWS

Laluo hydro project started 

Lhoka Daily, June 12, 2014

The TAR’s Water Resources Department announced on June 10, that construction of the Yuan 4.698 billion Laluo Water Control and Irrigation Project had started in Xigaze recently. This is the largest project in the history of Tibet’s water resources development. The Laluo Water Control and Irrigation Project is located in the Shigatse (Ch:Xigaze) and Sakya Counties, on the river bank of a tributary of the Brahmaputra River.  This has a total reservoir capacity of 296 million cubic meters and two power plants with a total capacity of 4.2 million kilowatts.

Tashi Dawa of TAR’s Department of Water Resources said the construction of the project will last 67 months and it is expected to be completed by 2020.

He said the Pangduo Hydro Project is another major infrastructure project that will benefit people in the region. 

Tibet to have the "first photo card" business registration system

Lhasa evening news, June 10, 2014

The TAR officially launched the "first photo card" business registration system campaign to further reduce hurdles in setting up business and to create relaxed access to the market.  TAR’s Secretary for Industry and Commerce Administration, Li Yingchun, gave a brief introduction to the campaign by saying that according to the first photo card system, once the business registration system is implemented, it will help maintenance of laws, regulations and administrative provisions. It moreover involves national security, ecological security, people’s life and property safety by retaining the pre-license conditions.  He said that after obtaining this first photo card, other industrial and commercial administrative approvals would no longer be required as a pre-condition for setting up business. Market forces can directly determine the business sector registration and people can directly engage in production and business activities.  Li Yingchun said that the license is aimed at industrial and commercial registration system reform.

TAR to add three automatic Radiosonde stations this year

Lhasa Evening News, June 10, 2014

The Tibet Autonomous Region’s Meteorological Bureau, China Meteorological Administration’s Meteorological Centers, CMA Shanghai Property Management Department and other experts from eight units are working on a project to build three automatic Radiosonde stations in Tibet. Deputy Director of the Autonomous Region Meteorological Bureau Observation Network, Ma Yonghong, introduced automatic sounding system application as mechanical engineering, automatic control, computer processing, graphics, networking and other modern automatic control technology through process control automation equipment which can be put to use in windy conditions.   It is an automated upper air sounding observationsystem. .Construction at three sites is expected to be completed by the end of August this year. The official deadline is September 1, 2014.

Lhasa-Nyingchi Highway

Tibet Online, June 05, 2014

Construction of the Lhasa-Nyingchi Highway started at Taktse County of Tibeton May 23, 2013. It has a total budget of 38 billion Yuan and the highway is expected to cover 409.2 km, with carrying capacity reaching 80 km/h on four lanes. Once completed it will reduce travel time by at least 2 hours from Lhasa to Nyingchi.It will be a key part of China’s border provinces road network and upgrade China’s national defence capacity.

15 Emergency Shelters in Lhasa to be put into use by end-2014

China Tibet News, June 10, 2014

According to the Lhasa Civil Affairs Bureau, 22.5 million Yuan are being invested to build 15 emergency shelters in Lhasa, which are expected to be completed and put into use by the end of this year.

In recent years, Lhasa has spent 30.9 million Yuan in setting up city and county-level relief material reserve centres.  In addition, 3.78 million Yuan have been invested in building 7 village-level relief materials reserve centres. It is estimated that these projects will be completed in July and put into use in August 2014.

The Lhasa Civil Affairs Bureau has reserved relief materials costing almost 26.34 million Yuan for the purpose.

Shigatse to achieve full coverage of public transport

China Tibet News, June 12, 2014

Shigatse(Ch: Xigaze) has invested in 25 energy saving buses. Currently, Shigatse City has 89 buses, 9 urban bus lines and 11 bus lines around the city.

Conference on building TAR as an International Tourist Destination

Chinatibetnews, June 11, 2014

A conference on building the Tibet Autonomous Region as an important international tourist destination was held recently in Beijing. HouYongzhi, Director-General of the Development Strategy and Regional Economy Department at the Development Research Centre of the State Council (DRC), took part in the special consulting conference.

 

MILITARY RELATED NEWS

Joint Military Exercise in Shigatse

ifeng.com, April 7, 2014

The Shigatse(Ch: Xigaze)Prefectural Administrative Office and Shigatse Military Sub-District jointly organized a militia, “great training, great exercise, contest” recently. It has been described as the largest military exercise in recent years between the Shigatse militia and reserve forces with the largest number of participants.   A total of 144 militiamen from all 18 counties in the region participated. The Administrative Commissioner of Shigatse and Secretary of the Prefectural Politics and Law Committee, Zhang Hongbo, said that the whole Region will implement the spirit of militia building, good organization, good use, regional economic development and maintaining social stability.

Recruitment of College Students to promote conscription in TAR

chinatibetnews, June 6, 2014

A Tibet-wide conscription college enrolment campaign for 2014 was held at Tibet University in Lhasa on June 5. The Tibet Military Area Command was in charge. Ngawang Dorjee, Deputy Chief of the Tibet Military Area Command, said that this year all registration can be done online. He mentioned April 10 to August 5 as registration time for young men and June 5 to August 5 for young women.  Students studying in various universities and college at different locations can also apply.  Till now, 5269 people have applied through online registration and 1140 people have enrolled.

 

RELIGION RELATED NEWS

Central Tibetan Administration Condoles sudden death of 14th Shamar Rinpoche

Bodhipath.org, Tibet.net June11, 2014

The International Bodhi Path Organisation announced that their founder and spiritual leader Shamar Rinpoche passed away on 11 June 2014 in Renchen-Ulm, Germany, of a “sudden heart attack.” Shamar Rinpoche was a senior religious leader of Kagyu school of Tibetan Buddhism.

It is indeed very sad news, wrote Karmapa Trinely Thaye Dorje, but "the impermanence of life is among the core teachings of the Buddha Dharma." He expressed his compassion to Shamar Rinpoche’s brother Jigme Rinpoche, his family and his students. Karmapa Trinely Thaye Dorje was chosen by the Late Shamar Rinpoche as the reincarnation of 16th Karmapa

The Central Tibetan Administration in Dharamsala also condoled the passing away of the 14th Shamar Rinpoche. “We are deeply saddened to hear the sudden demise of Shamar Rinpoche and offer our prayers,” said Kalon Pema Chhinjor of the Department of Religion and Culture.

Tibetan Buddhist Nuns Attend 9th ACWF Training Course in Beijing

Women of China, June 7, 2014

Vice President and Member of the Secretariat of the All-China Women's Federation (ACWF) Cui Yu met with a delegation of 35 Tibetan Buddhist nuns from the Tibet Autonomous Region on June 5, 2014, during the nuns' training course held by the ACWF in Beijing.

Cui Yu emphasized the important role that Tibetan Buddhist nuns are playing in carrying forward Tibetan Buddhism and safeguarding national unity.

The Delegates visited Tian'anmen Square, Chairman Mao's Mausoleum, the Chinese Museum of Women and Children and the Buddhist Academy of China in Beijing.

Government employees in Tibetan Prefecture barred from religious teaching

Tibetan review, June 13, 2014

Chinese authorities in Tsoe (Chinese: Hezuo) City of Kanlho (Gannan) Prefecture, Gansu Province, had banned local government employees from attending a highly sought religious teaching given in the city from Jun 9 to 12. The teaching ceremony attracted thousands of Tibetan devotees. The ceremony, delivered by the respected 76-year-old Setsang Lobsang Palden Rinpoche, was held under tight security with a large deployment of troops, police, and surveillance agents of the Chinese government.

The teaching ceremony was held at Geden Choeling Monastery located in the city’s outskirts. This was the fourth time the Rinpoche had given a Kalachakra Teaching. Radio Free Asia cited a local source as saying the Rinpoche’s previous such teaching, given in June last year in Dzoege (Ruo’ergai) County in the Ngaba (Aba) prefecture, Sichuan Province, had attracted over 300,000 devotees.

Those banned from attending the latest teaching included employees both in the Prefecture’s government and schools. “All staff has been informed that they cannot take leave during the teaching and join the congregation. ... Those violating the ban will not be named on any list of outstanding employees for the year,” the source was quoted as saying.

China steps up repression during Saka Dawa

Dossier Tibet, June 2, 2014

Chinese authorities are making every effort to restrict the number of devotees congregating at Mount Kailash, particularly during Saka Dawa, one of the most sacred months observed by Tibetans. Saka Dawa is celebrated on the 15th day of the fourth month of the Tibetan lunar calendar, falling this year on 13 June. Government officials have been ordered not to take their annual leave from the month of April to September this year. Any government official found taking leave during these months shall be dismissed from their posts, it said.

The Chinese authorities have also stopped issuing new or renewing old passports to Tibetans and those who have already obtained their passports in the past have been asked to submit it back to the authorities. Any Tibetan found attending the Kalachakra teaching by His Holiness the Dalai Lama in Leh in India in July this year would face deprivation of their household registration system.

 

MISCELLANIOUS NEWS

National Astronomical Observatory team’s Tibet expedition

Lhasa evening news, June 9, 2014

Vice Chairman of TAR People’s Government, Meng Deli met the Tibet Expedition team of the Institute of National Observatory of the Chinese Academy of Science led by Yan Jun. Meng Deli, on behalf of the Regional Government of Tibet, welcomed the expedition and said that with social and economic development, Tibet has an increasingly important role to play in the development of national natural science, however Tibet has obvious shortcomings in terms of personnel training and technological development. He hoped to strengthen collaboration between the National Astronomical Observatory and universities and research institutes in Tibet and promote personnel training, and also promote the development of scientific research institutions. He stressed that the TAR Regional Government is willing to support a major national research project and provide all necessary conditions.

Yan Jun said that Tibet has natural and geographical values for the country and the TAR Government has given strong support to the work of the National Observatory in Tibet.  He concluded by appealing to the Regional Government to continue its support for the work of the National Observatory and jointly promote the development of astronomical work in the future.

Chamdo Prefecture held a "Special Equipment Safety Act"

Chamdo Daily, June 7, 2014

A meeting was held in Chamdo (Ch:Qamdo) from 5-6 June to publicize and implement "special equipment safety act” under the leadership of District Administrative Office. The mobilization meeting was attended by the officials of Chamdo Administrative Office like Deputy Commissioner Tian Maling, Deputy Secretary-General Zhang Jiying, Deputy Director of the Regional Bureau of Quality Supervision, Chen Yandong.

During the meeting, Regional Deputy Director of Bureau of Quality Supervision Chen Yandong did a careful reading of the "Special Equipment Safety Law.” While Deputy Commissioner of the Administrative Office Tian Maling made an important speech to promote safety work requiring departments at all levels and the units to be fully aware of the study and implementation of "special equipment safety law." 

 

 







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