Chinese authorities in the Minthang area of Amdo Golog have increased political and administrative oversight of local Tibetan residents following the detention of a senior religious figure, according to reports from the independent Tibetan shortwave radio broadcaster Voice of Tibet (VoT).
Chogtrul Dorje Tenzin, abbot of Minthang Monastery Osel Thegchog Ling and principal of the Minthang Ethnic Vocational School, was detained on December 4. As of late December, Chinese authorities have not released any public statement explaining the reason for his detention, nor have they disclosed his location. It remains unclear which security body (local police, state security, or other CCP authorities) carried out the arrest.
On December 19, officials convened a meeting described as the “2025 Rural Governance Credit Score Exchange Conference” in the Minthang area. According to local sources cited by VoT, authorities issued advance orders requiring at least one representative from every household to attend. Residents reportedly said the meeting was mandatory and non-attendance could result in penalties.
During the conference, officials reiterated directives requiring residents to refrain from activities considered harmful to “social stability,” including spreading information described as “rumors” or disclosing what authorities classify as “state secrets.” Officials warned that violations of these regulations could lead to deductions from individuals’ rural governance credit scores and additional administrative or legal consequences.
Local sources report that pressure on residents has increased since the detention of Chogtrul Dorje Tenzin, with authorities explicitly linking political compliance to residents’ standing within the rural credit system.
The Rural Governance Credit Score Exchange program was introduced in the Minthang area in 2018. Under the system, residents accumulate points by meeting various state-defined criteria, such as attending government-organized meetings, participating in official activities, and supporting cooperatives established by local authorities. Accumulated points can be exchanged at designated “points banks” for cash or goods.
According to VoT, the value of points changes annually. In the 2025 program cycle in Minthang, each point is reportedly valued at approximately three Chinese yuan. Local residents note that adjustments to the scoring and exchange rates can affect household income from year to year.
Analysts and rights observers have described rural governance credit programs as part of a broader policy framework aimed at strengthening administrative control in rural and minority regions. They note that linking economic benefits to participation in state activities can influence behavior and participation at the community level, while penalties for non-compliance may have material consequences for residents.
The situation in Minthang reflects ongoing concerns raised by international observers regarding governance practices in Tibetan areas, including the lack of transparency surrounding detentions and the use of administrative systems to regulate social and political conduct. Chinese authorities have not responded publicly to reports concerning Chogtrul Dorje Tenzin’s detention or the specific measures discussed at the December 19 meeting.
