September 16, 2024
As China prepares to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China (PRC) on October 1, its top security official has called for an aggressive crackdown on separatist activities in Tibetan areas, raising concerns over heightened repression in the region.
During a four-day inspection tour of the Tibet Autonomous Region (TAR) and surrounding Tibetan areas, Chen Wenqing, the head of the Central Political and Legal Affairs Commission (CPLC), ordered security forces to “resolutely crack down on separatist and destructive activities” in a bid to maintain stability ahead of the national holiday. Chen’s tour, which concluded on September 13, took place against the backdrop of increasing tensions between China and the exiled Tibetan leadership, notably following recent meetings between U.S. officials and the Dalai Lama.
Chen’s inspection included stops in Lhasa and Chamdo in the TAR, as well as Ganzi (Kardze), a Tibetan autonomous prefecture in Sichuan Province, where nearly 80% of the 1.1 million residents are Tibetan. The visit came with a clear mandate: prevent any form of dissent or separatist activity.
“Security forces must resolutely manage religious affairs while protecting normal religious activities,” Chen said, emphasizing the need to both control Tibetan religious institutions and crack down on crimes deemed threats to national security. This rhetoric echoes China’s long-standing policy of conflating peaceful activism and religious practice with subversion and terrorism, often used as justification for stringent crackdowns on the Tibetan population.
Chen’s remarks also underscored the importance of propaganda and educational campaigns aimed at promoting a sense of national identity among Tibetans and other ethnic minorities. This mirrors ongoing efforts by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) to assimilate minority populations by fostering loyalty to the state at the expense of local cultural and religious identities.
The visit by Chen follows a broader campaign involving China’s judicial authorities. Zhang Jun, President of the Supreme People’s Court, and Ying Yong, head of the Supreme People’s Procurator-ate, both made recent visits to Tibetan courts and prosecutors’ offices, where they reinforced the need for “tough punishment” against those involved in what the state considers “violent terrorism” and “ethnic separatism.”
These judicial visits are part of a broader effort to extend the security apparatus’ reach across all Tibetan regions. Along with TAR, other Tibetan areas in Qinghai, Gansu, Sichuan, and Yunnan provinces are also under increased scrutiny, with the CPLC casting a wider security net in these regions in recent years.
China’s National Day celebrations come at a time of heightened sensitivity in the Tibet Autonomous Region. The visit of senior U.S. officials to meet the Dalai Lama in New York last month has aggravated the already tense situation between Beijing and the Tibetan exile community. China views any external engagement with the Dalai Lama, whom it considers a separatist, as a direct challenge to its sovereignty over Tibet.
Moreover, Chen’s call for increased security and harsh penalties in the lead-up to the anniversary echoes China’s long-standing strategy of tightening control during politically sensitive periods. This year’s heightened security measures, however, underscore Beijing’s fear of unrest and its determination to maintain control over Tibet’s restive population.
With the CCP’s top leadership now focused on reinforcing national unity and suppressing dissent, the upcoming 75th anniversary of the PRC is set to be celebrated under the shadow of renewed repression. Chen’s directives signal that Tibet, long a symbol of defiance against Chinese rule, will remain a focal point of China’s domestic security agenda.
As China’s security apparatus clamps down on Tibetan activism and identity, the potential for international condemnation grows. Tibetan activists, human rights groups, and foreign governments are likely to scrutinize the increased militarization and judicial crackdowns in the region, further straining China’s relations with the international community.
For Tibetans, the latest round of security measures reflects the growing restrictions on their cultural and religious freedoms as Beijing seeks to erase dissent ahead of a major national celebration.
While China continues to label Tibetan advocacy for human rights and religious freedoms as separatist, the international community’s response will play a critical role in shaping the future dynamics of Tibet’s struggle for autonomy under Chinese rule.
