As noted BBCThis is the first official visit by a Chinese leader to politically troubled Tibet in 30 years.
The president was in Tibet from July 21 to 23, but state media reported the visit after it ended. The visit is timed to coincide with the 70th anniversary of the agreement that established China’s control over Tibet. The spiritual leader of Tibet, the Dalai Lama, said that he was forced to sign the document, and since then he has refused it. The Guardian.
First, the head of the People’s Republic of China arrived in the southeast of the country, and then went by rail to the capital of the autonomous region of Tibet, Lhasa. There he visited the Potala Palace, the traditional home of the Dalai Lama.
The Global Times notes that during a visit to the Tibetan capital of Lhasa, the Chinese president was interested in working on ethnic and religious issues, as well as protecting Tibetan culture. The BBC clarifies that many Tibetans accuse Beijing of religious repression and the destruction of their culture. Tibetan monks protesting the oppression of their people staged public self-immolations.
Xi Jinping last visited the region 10 years ago as vice president. The last Chinese leader to officially visit Tibet was Jiang Zemin in 1990.
Tibet is an autonomous region in southwestern China. It has its own People’s Government and People’s Congress, but is controlled by the Communist Party. Tibet gained independence in 1912, but China regained its rule in 1951.
In 1959, a massive anti-Chinese uprising broke out in Tibet. The insurgent Tibetans advocated the restoration of independence and against the Sinification of Tibet. The uprising was suppressed, and the Dalai Lama and thousands of his supporters fled. Since then, the Chinese authorities have considered him a separatist. In 1965, Tibet will receive autonomy within the PRC.
Many Tibetans in exile accuse Beijing of religious repression and the destruction of their culture. The PRC government denies the accusations and claims that Tibet has developed significantly under its rule.
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