Meanwhile in Tibet, Repression

As Lhadon tests China’s claims of openness in Beijing, China is showing its true colors in Tibet. There, Chinese forces have arrested scores of Tibetans in eastern Tibet, and heavily increased surveillance in the capital, Lhasa.

The AP reports:

Scores of people have been arrested … following public calls for the return of Tibet’s exiled spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama, reports said Friday.

Police and army reinforcements were sent to the town of Lithang … The reports said a local resident, Runggye Adak, was detained after he climbed onto a stage erected for Chinese officials, grabbed a microphone and asked the crowd if they wanted the Dalai Lama to return. [(H)undreds responded with a roaring yes.]

Other residents appealed to police and local officials to release him, leading officers to fire warning shots to disperse the crowd outside the local detention center.

RFA said about 200 Tibetans were detained following the protest…

(You can also read the BBC’s article on this story here.)

Meanwhile in Lhasa, China is nervous that a hunger strike by Tibetans in India (now in its 26th day) is stirring passions in Tibet. The Tibetan Centre for Human Rights and Democracy reports: 

The tea shops, Internet cafes and telephone booths etc in all streets and alleyways of Bakhor (central market) were infiltrated by security police men in civilian dress. It is also reported that the number of police forces in civilian dress were also increased significantly to deal with any untoward incident. Moreover, restriction and vigilance was also stepped up in offices, schools, homes of ex-political prisoners and those of people whom the government deemed suspicious or normally held suspicious.

Chinese security forces are also worried about Tibetan exiles returning to Tibet:

According to a reliable source, it seems that the Chinese authorities in and around Lhasa City have issued terse instructions to travel agencies in and around Lhasa City that they were not suppose to provide help or assistance to any of expatriate Tibetans coming to Lhasa city during the coming days. If they do so they would be dealt with dire consequences of facing closure of their travel agency business if any untoward incident takes place.

These heavy-handed tactics point to a regime that feels incredibly insecure. The Chinese government knows that Tibetans see it as a foreign occupier, and that Tibetans want freedom and the return of their beloved leader, the Dalai Lama. Which is why however much China may try to whitewash its rule in Tibet, or make false promises of openness, its true colors always seem to show through. Can Tibetans ever really be free as long as China rules them?