China is threatening to punish Communist Party officials in Tibet who are loyal to His Holiness the Dalai Lama, whom Beijing regards as a dangerous “separatist”. The Global Times quoted analysts who said, “Some officials in Tibet still sympathise with the Dalai Lama” because of their religious beliefs. These latest announcements are being made under China’s ongoing anti-corruption campaign.
Chen Quanguo tibet.net
The Tibetan Government-in-Exile, the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA), has responded to recent comments by Chen Quanguo, the Communist Party of China’s Secretary to the Tibetan Autonomous Region, who said that some officials in the region have “serious corruption issues” and have “failed to take a firm political stand” regarding “neutralising the separatists.”
He also said that “Cadres who harbor fantasies about the 14th Dalai Group, follow the Dalai Group, participate in supporting separatist infiltration sabotage activities, (will be) strictly and severely punished according to the law and party disciplinary measures.”
These statements are on the heels of China’s investigations into high-ranking Tibetan authorities as part of its “anti-corruption” campaign, a part of China’s Central Commission for Discipline and Inspection, the Communist party’s internal watchdog.
The exile Tibetan administration responded in a press release, saying that “the Middle-Way Approach” promoted by the Dalai Lama is a “mutually beneficial solution.” The administration went on to say that “Tibetans seek genuine autonomy under a single administration within the constitution of People’s Republic of China and do not seek separation.”
The CTA also commented, “Repression incites resistance and such actions will further hamper any chance of long term stability that the Chinese government is seeking in the Tibetan region.”
Chen’s denunciation of the Dalai Lama and those who sympathise with him signals a hardening stance against the Nobel Peace Prize winner, whom they label a”wolf in sheep’s clothing” and a terrorist who seeks to use violent methods to establish an independent Tibet.
His Holiness the Dalai Lama
Photo: nobelpeaceprizeforum.com
Since fleeing Tibet in 1959, the Dalai Lama has lived in exile and campaigned world-wide for the welfare of Tibetans, teaching Tibetan Buddhism and talking about the importance of compassion as the source of a happy life. He denies that he encourages violence.
Athough religious freedom is protected in China’s constitution, Tibet is not the only region where China is clamping down on the freedom to practice religion. Beijing says it is fighting Islamic fundamentalism in the minority region of Xinjiang. Members of the officially atheist Communist party are banned from believing in religion.
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