China tightens grip on Tibet, neighboring areas

[Gunny]

MSNBC News Services
updated 4:58 p.m. CT, Mon., March. 17, 2008

BEIJING - China vowed Monday to defend its sovereignty in Tibet as Chinese troops set up checkpoints and mobilized to quell any further uprising. A deadline for protesters in the Tibetan capital to turn themselves in passed without any apparent surrenders or arrests.

In the central government’s first comment on the anti-China protests in Tibet, Foreign Ministry spokesman Liu Jianchao blamed the violence in Lhasa on supporters of the Dalai Lama, the revered spiritual leader who fled in 1959 after a failed uprising against Chinese rule.

“The Chinese government will unwaveringly protect its national sovereignty and territorial integrity,” ministry spokesman Liu Jianchao said at a hastily called news conference. “The violent acts have demonstrated the true nature of the Dalai clique.”

Some residents reported Monday that Lhasa had quieted down and many people were returning to work. Chinese military police reportedly set up many checkpoints to control movement.

“All across the city today there are checkpoints where you can only enter if you have a permit,” said Marion Berjeret, an intern for a French fashion design company who has lived in Lhasa for four months.

more ... http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/23668889/

Our "most favored nation" in action.

 

[onedomino]

For those interested, the website of the Tibetan Government in exile: http://tibet.com/

Political history of Tibet from the viewpoint of those opposed to the Chinese occupation of Tibet: http://www.tibet.com/WhitePaper/white1.html

 

[bennylava]

Very very sad.

 

[Munin]

“The Chinese government will unwaveringly protect its national sovereignty and territorial integrity”

Yeah, like they know what that means. I can't believe they actually have words for that in the chinese language (integrity)

 

[we_ourselves]

It's easy to condemn China's occupation of Tibet, but remember, China invaded Tibet because Tibet is a giant plateau overlooking China on which tanks could be amassed for an invasion. In fact, when China invaded Tibet it was facing an invading Indian Army.

Meanwhile the people who are shedding tears over the poor Tibetans have nothing to say about, say, the Kurds--the largest stateless nation in the world.

 

[waltky]

China confiscatin' Tibetan TV's...

China seizes TVs, satellite equipment in Tibetan area
Sat, Dec 29, 2012 - Chinese authorities have confiscated 3,000 TVs from monasteries in a heavily Tibetan part of the west of the country and dismantled satellite equipment that broadcast “anti-China” programs, prompted by Tibetan self-immolations in the region.

About 94 Tibetans, including 81 this year, have set themselves on fire in protest against Chinese rule. Five self-immolations occurred in Tibetan-dominated Huangnan Prefecture in Qinghai Province, the state-run Qinghai news agency said on Thursday. The government in Huangnan said its approach in tackling self-immolations comprised of “guiding public opinion on the Dalai issue,” increasing patrols and “blocking outside harmful information,” according to the news agency, which is managed by the Qinghai government.

“At this critical moment for maintaining social stability in Huangnan Prefecture ... [we must] strengthen measures and fully fight the special battle against self-immolations,” the article said. “We do not know anything about it,” an official from the prefecture government said by telephone, when asked to confirm the report, before hanging up.

Beijing considers Nobel Peace Prize laureate the Dalai Lama, who fled China in 1959 after an abortive uprising against Chinese rule, a separatist. The Dalai Lama says he is merely seeking greater autonomy for his homeland. The article said the prefecture’s agricultural and pastoral areas had relied on certain satellite equipment “to watch and listen to overseas, anti-China programs.”

The local government would invest 8.64 million yuan (US$1.38 million) to install 50 transmitters that would broadcast 70 percent of the prefecture’s TV channels, the report said. China has repeatedly denounced the Dalai Lama and exiled Tibetan groups for fomenting the self-immolations.

China seizes TVs, satellite equipment in Tibetan area - Taipei Times

 

[Unkotare]

“The Chinese government will unwaveringly protect its national sovereignty and territorial integrity”

Yeah, like they know what that means. I can't believe they actually have words for that in the chinese language (integrity)

Are you trying to disparage all Chinese people? Wtf?

 

[Unkotare]

Self-immolation in Tibet: The burning issue | The Economist

 

[Franticfrank]

This is really sad and needless - China will never be respected if it continues this behaviour. Statistics show that 69% of Americans are concerned by China's human rights record. Typical Chinese government reaction by the way, this sort of abuse as well as censorship is going to come back to haunt them eventually.

 

[waltky]

Chinese sabotage?...

Shangri-La fire defence was shut off while Tibetan town burned
Monday 13 January 2014 ~ £800,000 system had been shut down to prevent pipes from bursting in below-freezing temperatures

The fire prevention system in an ancient Tibetan tourist town destroyed by a blaze on Saturday was shut off at the time, Chinese officials have said. The system in Shangri-La – installed in 2011 at a cost of ¥8m (£800,000) – had been shut down to prevent pipes from bursting in the below-freezing temperatures, the Deqen prefecture fire brigade said. In addition to the system's failure, the cold weather lowered water pressure in hydrants, and fire engines were unable to enter narrow streets and alleys.

Fire-ruined buildings in Dukezong, Shangri-La county.

Tourism is virtually the only industry in the region. The Dukezong quarter dates back more than 1,000 years and is known for its cobbled streets, ancient structures and Tibetan culture. The fire, which broke out at about 1.30am, raged for nearly 10 hours and destroyed 242 structures. About 2,600 people were left homeless, but no casualties were reported. The blaze started in a guesthouse and has been ruled accidental.

Once called Gyaitang Zong, the county surrounding Dukezong renamed itself Shangri-La in 2001, hoping to draw tourists by referencing the mythical Himalayan land described in James Hilton's 1933 novel. Reached by phone on Monday, a 36-year-old businessman who lost his bookshop and convenience store in the fire said the business community would rebuild with government help. "Travel is really the only industry here. It's irreplaceable," said the man, who identified himself only by his surname, Pan.

Shangri-La fire defence was shut off while Tibetan town burned | World news | theguardian.com

 

[Vikrant]

It's easy to condemn China's occupation of Tibet, but remember, China invaded Tibet because Tibet is a giant plateau overlooking China on which tanks could be amassed for an invasion. In fact, when China invaded Tibet it was facing an invading Indian Army.

Meanwhile the people who are shedding tears over the poor Tibetans have nothing to say about, say, the Kurds--the largest stateless nation in the world.

China first invaded Tibet, that was in 1950. After consolidating its gain on Tibet, China attacked India in 1962. There was no invading Indian army. On the contrary, India at that time was scaling down its armed forces.

 

[SalaamAkir]

China has ALWAYS been an aggressor throughout history. I truly hope Tibet will be free one day, but who knows?

 

[SalaamAkir]

“The Chinese government will unwaveringly protect its national sovereignty and territorial integrity”

Yeah, like they know what that means. I can't believe they actually have words for that in the chinese language (integrity)

Are you trying to disparage all Chinese people? Wtf?

Well, what do you think? Should Tibet be an independent nation, or should it remain part of China? I know where I stand, but I think there's a strong argument to be made for both sides.

 

[Unkotare]

“The Chinese government will unwaveringly protect its national sovereignty and territorial integrity”

Yeah, like they know what that means. I can't believe they actually have words for that in the chinese language (integrity)

Are you trying to disparage all Chinese people? Wtf?

Well, what do you think? Should Tibet be an independent nation, or should it remain part of China?.

How are those questions related to the question quoted above that I was asking to someone else?