China’s Xi Pushes Development and Ethnic Unity During Rare Tibet Visit

Chinese President Xi Jinping attended a grand ceremony in Lhasa on Thursday during a rare visit to Tibet, urging “ethnic unity and religious harmony” in a region long criticised for human rights abuses.

Background

• Tibet, a vast high-altitude region in western China, was established as an autonomous region in 1965, six years after the 14th Dalai Lama fled into exile.
• The area has historically been a centre of protests against Communist Party rule.
• Rights groups accuse Beijing of suppressing Tibetan culture and imposing extensive surveillance.
• Chinese authorities maintain that their policies have fostered stability and rapid economic development in one of the country’s poorest regions.

Xi, visiting Tibet for the first time since 2021, told regional officials: “To govern, stabilise and develop Tibet, we must first safeguard political stability, social stability, ethnic unity and religious harmony.”

On Thursday, party officials marked the 60th anniversary of Tibet’s autonomous status, lauding progress and calling for ethnic unity.

The ceremony took place in front of the Potala Palace, the ancient residence of the Dalai Lamas, Tibetan Buddhism’s spiritual leaders.

Political Messaging

• Wang Huning, China’s fourth-ranked leader, stressed the importance of:
  • “Deepening the anti-secession struggle”
  • “Ensuring consolidation and security of the border areas”
• Wang warned: “Any attempt to split the motherland and undermine Tibet’s stability is doomed to failure.”

Celebrations and Parade

• A portrait of Xi dominated the event, attended by 20,000 people including military personnel, school children, and members of Tibetan society, many in traditional dress.
• A parade showcased:
  • Tibetan dancers
  • Floats bearing official slogans
  • Formations of troops

Religious Context

• Xi urged the Sinicisation of Tibetan Buddhism, calling for it to adapt to socialist society.
• No mention was made of the Dalai Lama, who resides in India and heads a government-in-exile.
• The 90-year-old Dalai Lama has stated that his successor will be chosen exclusively by his office, whereas Beijing insists on government approval, raising the possibility of two rival leaders.

Xi promoted the Yarlung Tsangpo Dam, a massive hydropower project:

• Xi described the project as “vigorous, orderly, and efficient”.
• India raised the dam during talks with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in New Delhi, alongside discussions on border disputes, which saw deadly clashes in 2020.

Xi’s visit emphasised economic development, political control, and ethnic unity, reflecting Beijing’s dual approach of modernisation and strict governance in Tibet.