Tibet

Tibet: Lunar New Year Honors Protestors Who Died

Date: February 13th, 2013 |

Tibetan communities in China chose to forgo their traditional Lunar New Year celebrations this year, opting instead to quietly honor their kinsmen who self-immolated in protest of Chinese rule. Since 2009, nearly 100 Tibetans have set themselves on fire in public, drawing greater international attention to their plight and severe criticism of China. Most of [read more]

Tibet: Amid Suicide Protests, China Launches Massive Tourist Development

Date: July 12th, 2012 |

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Amid reports of another Tibetan self-immolation in Lhasa, China has launched a $6.1 billion development in an attempt to attract more tourists to the ancient city. Construction plans include a commercial district, a theme park featuring Princess Wengcheng, a Tang-dynasty royal who married a Tibetan king, and a “living museum” of Tibetan culture. The venture, [read more]

Tibet: China Issues Ban on Foreign Tourists

Date: June 13th, 2012 |

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Following months of increasing civil unrest in Tibet, the Chinese government has issued a ban prohibiting all foreign tourists from visiting the region. Authorities did not cite a specific reason for the ban or estimate its duration, though a disturbing rise in the number of self-immolation protests—by Tibetans weary of authoritarian Chinese rule—may have been [read more]

China and Tibet: Security Tightened for 60th Communist Anniversary, Foreigners Restricted in Tibet

Date: September 24th, 2009 |

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Chinese authorities tightened security in Beijing and elsewhere for the 60th anniversary of communist rule on Oct. 1. Armed SWAT teams have been deployed in the city center, including Tiananmen Square, and even kite-flying has been banned. The sale of knives was banned after two stabbing incidents within two days near Tiananmen Square. Authorities also [read more]

China: Tibetan Areas Closed to Foreigners

Date: February 18th, 2009 |

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Authorities have closed wide areas of Tibetan regions in western China to foreigners as the 50th anniversary of the Tibetan uprising approaches. March 10 marks the date the Dalai Lama fled into exile after the failed revolt in 1959. Chinese officials cracked down on potential dissent in January by detaining 81 people in Tibet, and [read more]

Tibet: Five More Self-Immolations After Crackdown on Students

Date: November 28th, 2012 |

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What began as a peaceful demonstration in Tsohlo, Qinghai Province, ended with at least five students in critical condition and five more Tibetan self-immolations around the region. More than 1,000 students and teachers gathered at dawn Nov. 26 to protest a government propaganda piece that called their language irrelevant and condemned the Tibetan self-immolation movement. [read more]

Tibet: China Plans $63.5-Million Tourism Development

Date: June 27th, 2012 |

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On the heels of a recent, sudden closure of Tibet to foreigners, Beijing has announced a $63.5-million plan to develop tourism in southeastern Tibet. The plan includes construction of 22 “model villages” in Nyingchi, a region about 200 miles from Lhasa renowned for its pristine natural beauty. According to Chinese officials, the villages will feature [read more]

Tibet: Travel Ban through July

Date: June 23rd, 2011 |

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China has banned foreign tourists from traveling to Tibet until the end of July. The ban is linked to celebrations marking the 60th anniversary of Chinese rule in Tibet, and is reportedly due to security concerns. Tensions between Tibetans and the Chinese government have taken violent turns in recent years, with protests in 2008 turning [read more]

Tibet: China to Reopen Tibet to Foreigners

Date: April 1st, 2009 |

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The Chinese government announced it will reopen Tibet to foreign tourists on April 5, easing restrictions it had placed on Tibet and surrounding Tibetan areas in March. Now that the 50th anniversary of the Tibetan revolt that led to the Dalai Lama’s flight into exile has passed, China feels that its security crackdown can be [read more]

Tibet: Crackdown on Dissent

Date: February 5th, 2009 |

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Chinese authorities cracked down on potential dissent two months before the 50th anniversary of the failed Tibetan uprising against Chinese occupation that led to the Dalai Lama’s escape and exile. Eighty-one people have been detained and almost 6,000 questioned in what authorities say is a campaign targeting criminals. The Tibetan government-in-exile expressed concern that the [read more]

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