Several senior Tibetan officials in Dechen (Chinese: Diqing) prefecture, located in present-day Yunnan Province, have been investigated in recent months by China’s anti-graft agency, signaling high levels of corruption or potential political instability within the Chinese bureaucracy. The investigations have targeted multiple ethnic Tibetan officials, with allegations of “serious violations of discipline and laws” commonly cited in such cases.
Among those under investigation are former high-ranking officials, including a governor and several deputy governors of Dechen Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, the only Tibetan-majority region in Yunnan province. Two of these officials even served as heads of the United Front Work Department (UFWD), a key agency responsible for controlling Tibetan religious and cultural activities.
Investigations and Dismissals
Since April 2024, several senior officials from Dechen have been placed under investigation or dismissed:
Kalsang Namgyal, head of the UFWD and former deputy governor of Dechen, has been under investigation since September 22, 2024.
Tashi Dhondup, member of the Standing Committee of Dechen and Secretary of the Political and Legal Committee, has been investigated since August 30, 2024.
Feng Yuxiang, deputy secretary of the Lijiang City Party Committee and head of UFWD, has been investigated since June 24, 2024.
Jangchup (Jiang Chu), executive vice governor of Dechen, was dismissed on May 19, 2024.
Qi Jianxin, former governor of Dechen, was dismissed on April 9, 2024.
These officials, some of whom have spent their entire careers in Dechen, are accused of various offenses as part of China’s broader anti-corruption drive under Xi Jinping.
Corruption has long been endemic in Tibetan areas under Chinese control. Since Xi Jinping assumed power, anti-corruption campaigns have been a central aspect of his governance. However, critics argue that these campaigns are more about consolidating political control and suppressing dissent rather than addressing systemic issues. Xi’s anti-graft campaign has been seen as a tool to shore up the legitimacy of the Communist Party and bolster support for his indefinite rule. The investigations in Dechen come amid a broader crackdown on Tibetan officials, signaling that even trusted members of the regime, such as those in the United Front Work Department, are not immune to scrutiny.
Dechen is located in the southern part of Kham, a historic Tibetan region, and covers an area of over 9,000 square miles, making it larger than Israel. Historically, it was an important stop along the Ancient Tea Horse Trading Route, linking it with Tibet’s political and spiritual centers. Although it is geographically distant from Lhasa, Dechen has maintained close spiritual ties with Tibet. The region is home to Gaden Sumtsenling, a famous monastery established by the Fifth Dalai Lama. Several prominent Tibetan religious figures, including the 65th Gaden Tripa, have roots in Dechen, and the area continues to be a cultural and spiritual hub.
Some prominent contemporary Tibetans hail from Dechen, including Samdhong Rinpoche, the former head of the Central Tibetan Administration, and Che Dalha (Qi Zhala), the former governor of the Tibet Autonomous Region. Both have deep connections to the region and its spiritual traditions.
The involvement of UFWD officials in the corruption investigations is particularly noteworthy. The UFWD is a powerful arm of the Chinese Communist Party responsible for implementing policies to control Tibetans’ religious and cultural lives. Leadership roles within the UFWD are highly scrutinized, and only those deemed most loyal to the regime are entrusted with its management.
The current governor of Dechen Prefecture, Zhang Weidong, who is said to be Tibetan, served as head of the UFWD in 2015. Xi Jinping’s reforms of the UFWD in 2018 and his 2022 guidelines have further cemented its role in the suppression of Tibetan culture and identity.
The Central Commission for Discipline Inspection (CCDI), which oversees these investigations, operates with extreme secrecy. Details regarding the exact charges against the Tibetan officials will only be revealed once sentencing is finalized.
The crackdown in Dechen highlights the ongoing tensions and power struggles within China’s bureaucracy, particularly in regions with distinct ethnic and cultural identities. Whether these investigations will lead to meaningful change or further political instability remains to be seen.
