Xi Jinping Celebrates Tibet's 60th Anniversary in Lhasa

Beijing, Aug 21 (PTI) Chinese President Xi Jinping attended the 60th anniversary celebrations of the Tibet Autonomous Region (TAR) at Potala Palace square in Lhasa, Tibet’s capital. Xi participated with around 20,000 local officials and people from various ethnic groups, reported state-run Xinhua News Agency. Potala Palace, historically the winter residence of the Dalai Lamas, has been a center of Tibetan political and spiritual life. The TAR was established by China in 1965 after annexing the region in 1950. Tibet, referred to as Xizang by China, holds significant cultural and religious importance. The Dalai Lama fled to India in 1959 and resides in Dharamshala, Himachal Pradesh. Last month, he marked his 90th birthday, stating his successor will be chosen by the Gaden Phodrang Trust, founded in 2015. China has dismissed the Dalai Lama's plans for succession, asserting that any successor must have its approval. Xi’s current visit marks his second to Tibet since taking power in 2012, making him the only Chinese President to visit Tibet twice. In his address in Lhasa, Xi emphasized Communist Party of China (CPC) leadership in Tibet-related work. Without mentioning the Dalai Lama, Xi advocated for enhancing exchanges between Tibet and other Chinese regions to ensure Tibetan Buddhism aligns with socialist society. Xi's administration has promoted the sinicisation of religions including Buddhism and Islam. Last month, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning described sinicisation as adapting religions to China's social, cultural, and historical contexts, citing Tibetan Buddhism as an example. China's governance of Tibet faces criticism globally and locally for alleged restrictions on Tibetan Buddhism, culture, and language. China dismisses these claims. In his speech, Xi hinted at the construction of a USD 167.8 billion dam on the Brahmaputra river in Tibet. He urged Tibet to advance projects like the hydropower project on the Yarlung Zangbo River (Brahmaputra). Construction on this enormous dam began last month. China is also developing an ambitious rail link connecting Xinjiang and Tibet, nearing the Line of Actual Control with India. Regarding the Sichuan-Xizang Railway, Xi emphasized the importance of executing major projects effectively. PTI KJV GRS GRS GRS

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