Chinese President Xi Jinping on Thursday made a rare visit to Tibet, stressing Beijing’s determination to strengthen its control over the region as it marked 60 years of being declared a Chinese autonomous region.
Xi Jinping highlights political importance of his visit. While addressing a gathering of 20,000 people in Lhasa, Xi Jinping underlined the political significance of his visit at a time of continuing tensions over China’s rule in Tibet. Although he did not mention the Dalai Lama, the exiled spiritual leader who is deeply respected by Tibetans, he stated that Tibetan Buddhism needed to change.
In his address to local officials after his arrival, Jinping stressed the need to uphold the leadership of the Communist Party of China in all work connected to Tibet.
Without directly referring to the Dalai Lama, Jinping highlighted the importance of promoting exchanges between Tibet and other regions of China in order to guide Tibetan Buddhism to adapt itself to socialist society.
Jinping advocates sinicisation of all religions. Since coming to power, Jinping has supported the sinicisation of all religions including Buddhism and Islam.
According to state-run Xinhua news agency, Jinping joined around 20,000 local officials and people from different ethnic groups and communities in the celebrations.
Potala Palace, which served for centuries as the winter residence of the Dalai Lamas and the political and spiritual centre of Tibet, was a key landmark during the visit.
The Tibet Autonomous Region was formally established by China in 1965 after it annexed the region in 1950. China refers to Tibet as Xizang.
Dalai Lama with other Tibetans fled to India in 1959.
The Dalai Lama along with many Tibetans fled to India in 1959 and has since lived in Dharamshala in Himachal Pradesh.
He recently celebrated his 90th birthday where he said that his successor would be chosen by the Gaden Phodrang Trust that he established in 2015.
China has rejected this claim, stating that any future Dalai Lama must have its approval.
Jinping arrived in Lhasa on Wednesday, making it his second visit to Tibet since assuming power in 2012, which makes him the only Chinese President to have visited Tibet twice.
Last month, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning addressed the media about the Communist Party’s approach to the sinicisation of religions.
“Sinicisation of religion is not about restricting religious practice; rather, all religions must adapt to the social, cultural and historical context of the country. Tibetan Buddhism in China is a prime example of a religion that has integrated Chinese characteristics, exemplifying the process of sinicisation,” she said.
China’s rule in Tibet has long been a matter of concern in the Himalayan region and globally, with human rights groups pointing to restrictions on Tibetan Buddhism, cultural practices, the Tibetan language, religious activities, and increased security measures that became stricter after the unrest in 2008.
